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if such assignment is within the same area as the 
current assignment of the member. 
‘‘(23) Current assignment to a naval vessel en-
tering or exiting nuclear refueling or defueling and 
any concurrent complex overhaul.’’. 
SEC. 608. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO REIMBURSE A 
MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES FOR 
SPOUSAL BUSINESS COSTS ARISING FROM A 
PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION. 
Subsection (g) of section 453 of title 37, United 
States Code, as amended by section 606, is further amend-
ed— 
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘OR BUSINESS 
COSTS’’ after ‘‘RELICENSING COSTS’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or qualified 
business costs’’ after ‘‘qualified relicensing costs’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘Reimburse-
ment’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘for qualified relicensing 
costs’’ after ‘‘subsection’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘$1000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$1,000’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
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‘‘(B) Reimbursement provided to a member under 
this subsection for qualified business costs may not exceed 
$2,000 in connection with each reassignment described in 
paragraph (1).’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or qualified 
business costs’’ after ‘‘qualified relicensing costs’’; 
(5) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by inserting ‘‘business license, permit,’’ 
after ‘‘courses,’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, or owned a busi-
ness,’’ before ‘‘during’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘professional’’ before 
‘‘license’’; and 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘, or business license 
or permit,’’ after ‘‘certification’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘professional’’ before 
‘‘license’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or business license 
or permit,’’ after ‘‘certification’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
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‘‘(5) In this subsection, the term ‘qualified business 
costs’ means costs, including moving services for equip-
ment, equipment removal, new equipment purchases, in-
formation technology expenses, and inspection fees, in-
curred by the spouse of a member if— 
‘‘(A) the spouse owned a business during the 
member’s previous duty assignment and the costs re-
sult from a movement described in paragraph (1)(B) 
in connection with the member’s change in duty lo-
cation pursuant to reassignment described in para-
graph (1)(A); and 
‘‘(B) the costs were incurred or paid to move 
such business to a new location in connection with 
such reassignment.’’. 
SEC. 609. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO REIMBURSE MEM-
BERS FOR SPOUSE RELICENSING COSTS PUR-
SUANT TO A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STA-
TION. 
Subsection (g) of section 453 of title 37, United 
States Code, as amended by sections 606 and 608, is fur-
ther amended by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating 
paragraph (4) as paragraph (3). 
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SEC. 609A. TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES 
FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES 
WHO 
ATTEND 
A 
PROFESSIONAL 
MILITARY 
EDUCATION 
INSTITUTION 
OR 
TRAINING CLASSES. 
Section 453 of title 37, United States Code, as 
amended by sections 606, 608, and 609, is further amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) ATTENDANCE
AT
PROFESSIONAL
MILITARY 
EDUCATION INSTITUTION OR TRAINING CLASSES.— 
‘‘(1) The Secretary of the military department 
concerned may authorize temporary duty status, and 
travel and transportation allowances payable to a 
member in such status, for a member under the ju-
risdiction of such Secretary who is reassigned— 
‘‘(A) between duty stations located within 
the United States; 
‘‘(B) for a period of not more than one 
year; 
‘‘(C) for the purpose of participating in 
professional military education or training 
classes, 
‘‘(D) with orders to return to the duty sta-
tion where the member maintains primary resi-
dence and the dependents of such member re-
side. 
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‘‘(2) If the Secretary of the military department 
concerned assigns permanent duty status to a mem-
ber described in paragraph (1), such member shall 
be eligible for travel and transportation allowances 
including the following: 
‘‘(A) Transportation, including mileage at 
the same rate paid for a permanent change of 
station. 
‘‘(B) Per diem while traveling between the 
permanent duty station and professional mili-
tary education institution or training site. 
‘‘(C) Per diem paid in the same manner 
and amount as temporary lodging expenses. 
‘‘(D) Per diem equal to the amount of the 
basic allowance for housing under section 403 
of this title paid to a member— 
‘‘(i) in the grade of such member; 
‘‘(ii) without dependents; 
‘‘(iii) who resides in the military hous-
ing area in which the professional military 
education institution or training site is lo-
cated. 
‘‘(E) Movement of household goods in an 
amount determined under applicable regula-
tions.’’. 
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SEC. 609B. ESTABLISHMENT OF ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN 
RELOCATIONS OF PETS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 453 of title 37, 
United States Code, as amended by sections 606, 608, 
609, and 609A, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(j) PET RELOCATION ARISING FROM A PERMANENT 
CHANGE OF DUTY STATION TO OR FROM A LOCATION 
OUTSIDE THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.—(1) The 
Secretary concerned shall reimburse a member for costs— 
‘‘(A) to move a pet of the member; and 
‘‘(B) arising from a permanent change of duty 
station of such member to or from a location outside 
the continental United States. 
‘‘(2) Reimbursement provided to a member under 
this subsection may not exceed $2,000 in connection with 
each permanent change of duty station described in para-
graph (1). 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘pet’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 2266 of title 18.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
this section takes effect on the day that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and applies to the 
relocation of a member of the uniformed services on or 
after such day. 
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SEC. 609C. EXTENSION OF ONE-TIME UNIFORM ALLOW-
ANCE FOR OFFICERS WHO TRANSFER TO THE 
SPACE FORCE. 
Subsection (d)(1) of section 606 of the William M. 
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 134 Stat. 3672; 
37 U.S.C. 416 note) is amended by striking ‘‘September 
30, 2022’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2023’’. 
SEC. 609D. OCONUS COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE: ADJUST-
MENTS; 
NOTICE 
TO 
CERTAIN 
CONGRES-
SIONAL COMMITTEES. 
(a) ADJUSTMENTS.— 
(1) REDUCTIONS: LIMITATION.—The Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of the Department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating may not reduce 
the cost-of-living allowance for a member of the 
Armed Forces assigned to a duty station located 
outside the United States except in connection with 
a permanent change of station for such member. 
(2) INCREASES.—The Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating may increase the allowance de-
scribed in paragraph (1) for a member of the Armed 
Forces at any time. 
(b) NOTICE TO CERTAIN CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT-
TEES.—The Secretary of Defense shall notify the appro-
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priate congressional committees not less than 180 days be-
fore modifying a table used to calculate the living allow-
ance described in subsection (a). 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than March 1, 2023, the 
Secretary of Defense shall brief the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and House of Representatives re-
garding effects of this section on the allowance described 
in subsection (a). 
(d) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means the following: 
(1) The Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate. 
(2) The Committees on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives. 
(3) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
(4) The Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 609E. PAY FOR DOD AND COAST GUARD CHILD CARE 
PROVIDERS: STUDIES; ADJUSTMENT. 
(a) DOD CHILD CARE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION 
REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW REQUIRED.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall, for each geographic area in which the 
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Secretary of a military department operates a mili-
tary child development center, conduct a study— 
(A) comparing the total compensation, in-
cluding all pay and benefits, of child care em-
ployees of each military child development cen-
ter in the geographic area to the total com-
pensation of similarly credentialed employees of 
public elementary schools in such geographic 
area; and 
(B) estimating the difference in average 
pay and the difference in average benefits be-
tween such child care employees and such em-
ployees of public elementary schools. 
(2) SCHEDULE.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall complete the studies required under paragraph 
(1)— 
(A) for the geographic areas containing the 
military installations with the 25 longest wait 
lists for child care services at military child de-
velopment centers, not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(B) for geographic areas other than geo-
graphic areas described in subparagraph (A), 
not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
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(3) REPORTS.— 
(A) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees and the Coast 
Guard committees a report summarizing the re-
sults of the studies required under paragraph 
(1) that have been completed as of the date of 
the submission of such report. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 120 
days after the completion of all the studies re-
quired under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees 
and the Coast Guard committees a report sum-
marizing the results of such studies. 
(b) COAST GUARD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW
REQUIRED.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall, for each geographic area 
in which the Secretary operates a Coast Guard child 
development center, conduct a study— 
(A) comparing the total compensation (in-
cluding all pay and benefits) of child develop-
ment center employees of each Coast Guard 
child development center in such geographic 
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area, to the total compensation of similarly 
credentialed employees of public elementary 
schools in such geographic area; and 
(B) estimating the difference in average 
pay and the difference in average benefits be-
tween such child development center employees 
and such employees of public elementary 
schools. 
(2) SCHEDULE.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall complete the studies required under 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) for the geographic areas containing the 
Coast Guard installations with the 10 longest 
wait lists for child development services at 
Coast Guard child development centers, not 
later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act; and 
(B) for geographic areas other than geo-
graphic areas described in subparagraph (A), 
not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(3) REPORTS.— 
(A) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall sub-
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compensation of similarly credentialed employ-
ees of public elementary schools in such geo-
graphic area. 
(B) COAST
GUARD.—Not later than 90 
days after the date on which the Secretary of 
Homeland Security completes the study for a 
geographic area under subsection (b), the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall ensure that 
the dollar value of the total compensation, in-
cluding the pay and benefits, of child develop-
ment center employees in such geographic area 
is not less than the average dollar value of the 
total compensation of similarly credentialed em-
ployees of public elementary schools in such ge-
ographic area. 
(2) ADJUSTMENT
LIMIT.—No child care em-
ployee or child development center employee may 
have his or her pay or benefits decreased pursuant 
to paragraph (1). 
(3) REPORTS.— 
(A) DEPARTMENT
OF
DEFENSE.—Not 
later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 
five years, each Secretary of a military depart-
ment shall submit to the congressional defense 
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committees and the Coast Guard committees a 
report detailing the effects of changes in the 
total compensation under this subsection, in-
cluding the effects on the hiring and retention 
of child care employees and on the number of 
children for which military child development 
centers provide child care services. 
(B) COAST GUARD.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
and annually thereafter for five years, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to 
the Coast Guard committees and the congres-
sional defense committees a report detailing the 
effects of changes in the total compensation 
under this subsection, including the effects on 
the hiring and retention of child development 
center employees and on the number of children 
for which Coast Guard child development cen-
ters provide child development services. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘benefits’’ includes— 
(A) retirement benefits; 
(B) any insurance premiums paid by an 
employer; 
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(C) education benefits, including tuition re-
imbursement and student loan repayment; and 
(D) any other compensation an employer 
provides to an employee for service performed 
as an employee (other than pay), as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary of Defense or Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, as applicable. 
(2) The terms ‘‘child care employee’’ and ‘‘mili-
tary child development center’’ have the meanings 
given such terms in section 1800 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(3) The terms ‘‘child development center em-
ployee’’ and ‘‘Coast Guard child development center’’ 
have the meanings given such terms in section 2921 
of title 14, United States Code. 
(4) The term ‘‘Coast Guard committees’’ 
means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 
and 
(C) the Committees on Appropriations of 
the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
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(5) The term ‘‘congressional defense commit-
tees’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
101 of title 10, United States Code. 
(6) The term ‘‘elementary school’’ means a day 
or residential school which provides elementary edu-
cation, as determined under State law. 
(7) The term ‘‘pay’’ includes the basic rate of 
pay of an employee and any additional payments an 
employer pays to an employee for service performed 
as an employee. 
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 com-
ponent members experiencing extended and frequent mo-
bilization for active duty service, is amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 
2023’’. 
(b) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES RELATING TO HEALTH 
CARE PROFESSIONALS.—The following sections of title 
10, United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2023’’: 
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(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse offi-
cer 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, 2022’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2023’’. 
(d) AUTHORITIES RELATING TO TITLE 37 CONSOLI-
DATED SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AU-
THORITIES.—The following sections of title 37, United 
States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2023’’: 
(1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus 
authority for enlisted members. 
(2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus 
authority for officers. 
(3) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation 
incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers. 
(4) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus 
and incentive pay authorities for officers in health 
professions. 
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(5) Section 336(g), relating to contracting 
bonus for cadets and midshipmen enrolled in the 
Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. 
(6) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty 
pay. 
(7) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay 
or special duty pay. 
(8) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive 
pay or proficiency bonus. 
(9) Section 355(h), relating to retention incen-
tives for members qualified in critical military skills 
or assigned to high priority units. 
(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), by striking ‘‘December 
31, 2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2023’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (8)(C), by striking ‘‘Sep-
tember 30, 2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 
2023’’. 
SEC. 612. INCREASE TO MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF CERTAIN 
BONUS AND SPECIAL PAY AUTHORITIES. 
(a) GENERAL BONUS AUTHORITY FOR ENLISTED 
MEMBERS.—Section 331(c)(1) of title 37, United States 
Code, is amended— 
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(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$50,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$75,000’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$30,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$50,000’’. 
(b) SPECIAL BONUS AND INCENTIVE PAY AUTHORI-
TIES FOR NUCLEAR OFFICERS.—Section 333(d)(1)(A) of 
title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘$50,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$75,000’’. 
(c) SPECIAL AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY AND BONUS 
AUTHORITIES FOR OFFICERS.—Section 334(c)(1) of title 
37, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$1,500’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$75,000’’. 
(d) SKILL
INCENTIVE
PAY
OR
PROFICIENCY 
BONUS.—Section 353(c)(1)(A) of title 37, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$1,750’’. 
SEC. 613. SPECIAL PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES ASSIGNED TO COLD 
WEATHER OPERATIONS. 
(a) SPECIAL PAY.— 
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(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subchapter II of chap-
ter 5 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after section 336 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 337. Special pay: members of the armed forces as-
signed to cold weather operations 
‘‘(a) SPECIAL PAY AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary 
concerned shall pay monthly special pay (to be known as 
‘arctic pay’) to a member of the armed forces— 
‘‘(1) assigned to perform cold weather oper-
ations; or 
‘‘(2) required to maintain proficiency through 
frequent operations in cold weather. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF PAY.—Special pay under this sec-
tion shall equal $300 per month. 
‘‘(c) RELATIONSHIP
TO OTHER PAY
OR ALLOW-
ANCES.—Special pay under this section is in addition to 
any other pay or allowance to which a member is entitled. 
‘‘(d) SUNSET.—No special pay may be paid under 
this section after December 31, 2023.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 336 
the following: 
‘‘337. Special pay: members of the armed forces assigned to permanent duty 
stations in Alaska.’’. 
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(3) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall prescribe regulations for the payment of arctic 
pay under section 337 of such title, as added by sub-
section (a). 
(b) PILOT ALLOWANCE FOR BROADBAND.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Chapter 7 of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 425 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 426. Allowance for broadband for members of the 
armed forces assigned to permanent duty 
stations in Alaska 
‘‘(a) ALLOWANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall pay, to a member of the armed forces as-
signed to a permanent duty station in Alaska, a monthly 
allowance for broadband. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The monthly allowance to a member 
under this section shall be— 
‘‘(1) $125 during calendar year 2023; and 
‘‘(2) in subsequent calendar years, an amount 
determined by the Secretary of Defense based on the 
difference between the average costs of unlimited 
broadband plans in Alaska and in the continental 
United States. 
‘‘(c) SUNSET.—No allowance may be paid under this 
section after December 31, 2028.’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 425 
the following: 
‘‘426. Allowance for broadband for members of the armed forces assigned to 
permanent duty stations in Alaska.’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—Section 426 of such 
title, as added by this subsection, shall take effect on 
the day the Secretary of Defense prescribes regula-
tions under paragraph (4). 
(4) REGULATIONS.—Not later than six months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out section 426 of such title, as added by this sub-
section. 
(5) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 
2027, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report containing— 
(A) the evaluation of the Secretary of the 
allowance under section 426 of such title, as 
added by this subsection; and 
(B) any recommendation of the Secretary 
regarding whether such allowance should be 
amended, extended, or made permanent. 
(c) TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE.— 
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(1) ENTITLEMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall prescribe regulations and 
guidance that entitle a member of the Armed 
Forces, assigned to a permanent duty station in 
Alaska, to a one-time allowance for air travel for the 
member and dependents of such member. 
(2) AMOUNTS.—If the air travel is to the per-
manent residence of the member, the amount of the 
allowance shall equal the total costs of such air trav-
el. If such air travel is to another destination within 
the United States, amount of the allowance shall be 
equal to the lesser of the following: 
(A) The rate for such air travel under the 
City Pair Program of the General Services Ad-
ministration (or successor program) in effect at 
the time of such air travel. 
(B) The actual costs of such air travel. 
(3) TIMING.—Air travel reimbursed under such 
regulation may not commence later than 30 months 
after the member is assigned to a permanent duty 
station in Alaska. 
(4) ADDITIONAL
AUTHORIZATION.—The Sec-
retary concerned may authorize an additional allow-
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ance for a member who has used the allowance to 
which such member is entitled under this subsection. 
SEC. 614. AUTHORIZATION OF INCENTIVE PAY TO A MEM-
BER OF THE ARMED FORCES WHOSE DISCLO-
SURE OF FRAUD, WASTE, OR MISMANAGE-
MENT RESULTS IN COST SAVINGS TO THE 
MILITARY DEPARTMENT CONCERNED. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 
37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 358. Incentive pay for cost savings disclosures 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary concerned may pay 
an incentive pay to a member of the Armed Forces whose 
disclosure of fraud, waste, or mismanagement to a covered 
official, results in cost savings for the military department 
concerned. The amount of an award under this section 
may not exceed the lesser of— 
‘‘(1) $10,000; or 
‘‘(2) an amount equal to 1 percent of the cost 
savings that the covered official determines to be the 
total savings attributable to such disclosure. 
‘‘(b) CALCULATION.—For purposes of subsection 
(a)(2), the covered official may take into account cost sav-
ings projected for subsequent fiscal years that will be at-
tributable to such disclosure. 
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‘‘(c) COVERED OFFICIAL DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘covered official’ includes the following: 
‘‘(1) The Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(2) The Inspector General concerned.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 357 the following: 
‘‘358. Incentive pay for cost savings disclosures.’’. 
SEC. 615. INFLATION BONUS PAY. 
(a) BONUS PAY.—Beginning on January 1, 2023, the 
Secretary concerned shall pay a bonus to each eligible 
member under the jurisdiction of such Secretary con-
cerned. 
(b) PAYMENT.—Bonus pay under this section shall 
be paid to an eligible member on a monthly basis. 
(c) AMOUNT OF PAY.—Each bonus payment under 
this section shall be in an amount determined by the Sec-
retary concerned, based on prevailing economic conditions 
that adversely affect members, but in no case shall be less 
than 2.4 percent of the rate— 
(1) in effect on January 1, 2023; and 
(2) of, for an eligible member— 
(A) pay under section 204 of title 37, 
United States Code; or 
(B) compensation under section 206 of 
title 37, United States Code. 
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(d) RELATIONSHIP
TO OTHER PAY
AND ALLOW-
ANCES.—Bonus pay paid to an eligible member under this 
section is in addition to any other pay and allowances to 
which the eligible member is entitled. 
(e) TERMINATION.—No bonus may be paid under 
this section after December 31, 2023. 
(f) ELIGIBLE MEMBER DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘eligible member’’ means a member of the uni-
formed services— 
(1) who is entitled to pay or compensation de-
scribed in subsection (c)(2); and 
(2) whose basic pay for 2023 is less than 
$45,000. 
SEC. 616. ESTABLISHING COMPLEX OVERHAUL PAY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than six months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall prescribe regulations under section 352 
of title 37, United States Code, for the payment of special 
monthly pay (to be known as ‘‘complex overhaul pay’’) to 
a member of the Armed Forces assigned to a naval vessel 
undergoing nuclear refueling or defueling and any concur-
rent complex overhaul. 
(b) AMOUNT OF PAY.—Complex overhaul pay shall 
equal $200 per month. 
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(c) RELATIONSHIP
TO OTHER PAY
OR ALLOW-
ANCES.—Complex overhaul pay is in addition to any other 
pay or allowance to which a member is entitled. 
SEC. 617. AIR FORCE RATED OFFICER RETENTION DEM-
ONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
establish and carry out within the Department of the Air 
Force a demonstration program to assess and improve re-
tention on active duty in the Air Force of rated officers 
described in subsection (b). 
(b) RATED OFFICERS DESCRIBED.—Rated officers 
described in this subsection are rated officers serving on 
active duty in the Air Force, excluding rated officers with 
a reserve appointment in the Air National Guard or Air 
Force Reserve— 
(1) whose continued service on active duty 
would be in the best interest of the Department of 
the Air Force, as determined by the Secretary; and 
(2) who have not more than three years and not 
less than one year remaining on an active duty serv-
ice obligation under section 653 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(c) WRITTEN AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Under the demonstration 
program required under subsection (a), the Sec-
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retary shall offer retention incentives under sub-
section (d) to a rated officer described in subsection 
(b) who executes a written agreement to remain on 
active duty in a regular component of the Air Force 
for not less than four years after the completion of 
the active duty service obligation of the officer under 
section 653 of title 10, United States Code. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—If the Secretary of the Air 
Force determines that an assignment previously 
guaranteed under subsection (d)(1) to a rated officer 
described in subsection (b) cannot be fulfilled, the 
agreement of the officer under paragraph (1) to re-
main on active duty shall expire not later than one 
year after that determination. 
(d) RETENTION INCENTIVES.— 
(1) GUARANTEE OF FUTURE ASSIGNMENT LO-
CATION.—Under the demonstration program re-
quired under subsection (a), the Secretary may offer 
to a rated officer described in subsection (b) a guar-
antee of future assignment locations based on the 
preference of the officer. 
(2) AVIATION BONUS.—Under the demonstra-
tion program required under subsection (a), notwith-
standing section 334(c) of title 37, United States 
Code, the Secretary may pay to a rated officer de-
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scribed in subsection (b) an aviation bonus not to 
exceed an average annual amount of $50,000 (sub-
ject to paragraph (3)(B)). 
(3) COMBINATION OF INCENTIVES.—The Sec-
retary may offer to a rated officer described in sub-
section (b) a combination of incentives under para-
graphs (1) and (2). 
(4) VARIATIONS; LIMITATIONS.—The Secretary 
may vary or limit the total number of available con-
tracts and the combination of incentives within such 
contracts to target certain Air Force specialty codes, 
ensure required assignments locations are filled, and 
readiness is not negatively affected. The Secretary 
shall determine the criteria for such variations or 
limitations and include such criteria in the annual 
briefing under subsection (e). 
(e) ANNUAL BRIEFING.—Not later than December 
31, 2023, and annually thereafter until the termination 
of the demonstration program required under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Represent-
atives a briefing describing the use of such demonstration 
program and its effects on the retention on active duty 
in the Air Force of rated officers described in subsection 
(b). 
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(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) RATED OFFICER.—The term ‘‘rated officer’’ 
means an officer specified in section 9253 of title 
10, United States Code. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Air Force. 
(g) TERMINATION.—This section shall terminate on 
December 31, 2028. 
Subtitle C—Family and Survivor 
Benefits 
SEC. 621. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR BEREAVEMENT 
LEAVE 
FOR 
MEMBERS 
OF 
THE 
ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) EXPANSION.—Section 701(m) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended in paragraph (3) by striking sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) a spouse; 
‘‘(B) a son or daughter; or 
‘‘(C) a parent. 
‘‘(4) In this section, the term ‘son or daughter’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) a biological, adopted, step, or foster son or 
daughter of the individual; 
‘‘(B) a person who is a legal ward of the mem-
ber, or was a legal ward of the individual when the 
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person was a minor or otherwise required a legal 
guardian; or 
‘‘(C) a person for whom the member stands in 
loco parentis or stood in loco parentis when the per-
son was a minor or otherwise required the individual 
to stand in loco parentis. 
‘‘(5) In this section, the term ‘parent’ means— 
‘‘(A) a biological, adoptive, step, or foster par-
ent of the individual, or a person who was a foster 
parent of the individual when the individual was a 
minor; 
‘‘(B) a legal guardian of the individual, or per-
son who was a legal guardian of the individual when 
the individual was a minor or otherwise required a 
legal guardian; or 
‘‘(C) a person who stands in loco parentis to 
the member or stood in loco parentis when the indi-
vidual was a minor or otherwise required a person 
to stand in loco parentis.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on the latter of July 3, 
2022, and the date of the enactment of this Act. 
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SEC. 622. CLAIMS RELATING TO THE RETURN OF PER-
SONAL EFFECTS OF A DECEASED MEMBER 
OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
Section 1482(a) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(11)(A) Delivery of personal effects of a dece-
dent to the next of kin or other appropriate person. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary concerned enters into an 
agreement with an entity to carry out subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary concerned shall pursue a claim 
against such entity that arises from the failure of 
such entity to substantially perform such subpara-
graph. 
‘‘(C) If an entity described in subparagraph (B) 
fails to substantially perform subparagraph (A) by 
damaging, losing, or destroying the personal effects 
of a decedent, the Secretary concerned shall reim-
burse the person designated under subsection (c) the 
greater of $1,000 or the fair market value of such 
damage, loss, or destruction. The Secretary con-
cerned may request from, the person designated 
under subsection (c), proof of fair market value and 
ownership of the personal effects.’’. 
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SEC. 623. EXPANSION OF AUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE FOR 
PROVIDERS OF CHILD CARE SERVICES TO 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) EXPANSION.—Section 1798 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘financial assistance’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘covered assistance’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) COVERED ASSISTANCE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘covered assistance’ includes— 
‘‘(1) financial assistance; and 
‘‘(2) free or reduced-cost child care services fur-
nished by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) TECHNCIAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such 
section is amended by striking ‘‘financial’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of subchapter II of chapter 88 of 
such title is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 1798 and inserting the following: 
‘‘1798. Child care services and youth program services for dependents: assist-
ance for providers.’’. 
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SEC. 624. SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN OPEN ENROLLMENT 
PERIOD. 
(a) PERSONS NOT CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN 
SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN.— 
(1) ELECTION OF SBP COVERAGE.—An eligible 
retired or former member may elect to participate in 
the Survivor Benefit Plan during the open enroll-
ment period specified in subsection (d). 
(2) ELIGIBLE RETIRED OR FORMER MEMBER.— 
For purposes of subparagraph (A), an eligible re-
tired or former member is a member or former 
member of the uniformed services who, on the day 
before the first day of the open enrollment period, 
discontinued participation in the Survivor Benefit 
Plan under section 1452(g) of title 10, United 
States Code, and— 
(A) is entitled to retired pay; or 
(B) would be entitled to retired pay under 
chapter of title 10, United States Code (or 
chapter 67 of such title as in effect before Octo-
ber 5, 1994), but for the fact that such member 
or former member is under 60 years of age. 
(3) STATUS UNDER SBP OF PERSONS MAKING 
ELECTIONS.— 
(A) STANDARD ANNUITY.—A person mak-
ing an election under subparagraph (A) by rea-
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son of eligibility under subparagraph (B)(i) 
shall be treated for all purposes as providing a 
standard annuity under the Survivor Benefit 
Plan. 
(B) RESERVE-COMPONENT
ANNUITY.—A 
person making an election under subparagraph 
(A) by reason of eligibility under subparagraph 
(B)(ii) shall be treated for all purposes as pro-
viding a reserve-component annuity under the 
Survivor Benefit Plan. 
(b) MANNER OF MAKING ELECTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An election under this sub-
section must be made in writing, signed by the per-
son making the election, and received by the Sec-
retary concerned before the end of the open enroll-
ment period. Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), any such election shall be made subject to the 
same conditions, and with the same opportunities for 
designation of beneficiaries and specification of base 
amount, that apply under the Survivor Benefit Plan. 
A person making an election under paragraph (1) to 
provide a reserve-component annuity shall make a 
designation described in section 1448(e) of title 10, 
United States Code. 
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(2) ELECTION MUST BE VOLUNTARY.—An elec-
tion under this subsection is not effective unless the 
person making the election declares the election to 
be voluntary. An election to participate in the Sur-
vivor Benefit Plan under this subsection may not be 
required by any court. An election to participate or 
not to participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan is not 
subject to the concurrence of a spouse or former 
spouse of the person. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE FOR ELECTIONS.—Any such 
election shall be effective as of the first day of the first 
calendar month following the month in which the election 
is received by the Secretary concerned. 
(d) OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD DEFINED.—The 
open enrollment period is the period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act and ending on January 1, 
2024. 
(e) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF 
LAW.—The provisions of sections 1449, 1453, and 1454 
of title 10, United States Code, are applicable to a person 
making an election, and to an election, under this sub-
section in the same manner as if the election were made 
under the Survivor Benefit Plan. 
(f) PREMIUMS
FOR
OPEN
ENROLLMENT
ELEC-
TION.— 
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(1) PREMIUMS
TO
BE
CHARGED.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations pre-
miums which a person electing under this subsection 
shall be required to pay for participating in the Sur-
vivor Benefit Plan pursuant to the election. The 
total amount of the premiums to be paid by a person 
under the regulations shall be equal to the sum of— 
(A) the total amount by which the retired 
pay of the person would have been reduced be-
fore the effective date of the election if the per-
son had elected to participate in the Survivor 
Benefit Plan (for the same base amount speci-
fied in the election) at the first opportunity that 
was afforded the member to participate under 
chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code; 
(B) interest on the amounts by which the 
retired pay of the person would have been so re-
duced, computed from the dates on which the 
retired pay would have been so reduced at such 
rate or rates and according to such method-
ology as the Secretary of Defense determines 
reasonable; and 
(C) any additional amount that the Sec-
retary determines necessary to protect the actu-
arial soundness of the Department of Defense 
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Military Retirement Fund against any increased 
risk for the fund that is associated with the 
election. 
(2) PREMIUMS TO BE CREDITED TO RETIRE-
MENT FUND.—Premiums paid under the regulations 
shall be credited to the Department of Defense Mili-
tary Retirement Fund. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(1) The term ‘‘Survivor Benefit Plan’’ means 
the program established under subchapter II of 
chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘retired pay’’ includes retainer 
pay paid under section 8330 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(3) The terms ‘‘uniformed services’’ and ‘‘Sec-
retary concerned’’ have the meanings given those 
terms in section 101 of title 37, United States Code. 
(4) The term ‘‘Department of Defense Military 
Retirement Fund’’ means the Department of De-
fense Military Retirement Fund established under 
section 1461(a) of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 625. STUDY AND REPORT ON MILITARY INSTALLA-
TIONS WITH LIMITED CHILD CARE. 
(a) STUDY.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall conduct a study regarding child care at mili-
tary installations of the covered Armed Forces— 
(A) that are not served by a military child 
development center; or 
(B) where the military child development 
center has few available spots. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The study shall identify the 
following with regards to each military installation 
described in paragraph (1): 
(A) The current and maximum possible en-
rollment at the military child development cen-
ter (if one exists). 
(B) Plans of the Secretary to expand an 
existing, or construct a new, military child de-
velopment center. 
(C) The resulting capacity of each military 
child development center described in subpara-
graph (B). 
(D) The median cost of services at accred-
ited child care facilities located near such mili-
tary installation compared to the amount of as-
sistance provided by the Secretary of the mili-
tary department concerned to members for 
child care services. 
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(E) The unique needs or challenges facing 
the population of such military installation that 
may require additional tailored resources, in-
cluding— 
(i) the needs of non-English speaking 
members of that population; and 
(ii) the needs of English as a second 
language members of that population. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report con-
taining the results of the study conducted under this sec-
tion, including any policy recommendations of the Sec-
retary to address the rising cost of child care near military 
installations and the rates of child care fee assistance pro-
vided to members of the covered Armed Forces. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means 
the following: 
(A) The Army. 
(B) The Navy. 
(C) The Marine Corps. 
(D) The Air Force. 
(E) The Space Force. 
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(2) The term ‘‘military child development cen-
ter’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
1800 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 626. HUNGER AMONG MILITARY FAMILIES: DATA COL-
LECTION; TRAINING; REPORT. 
(a) DATA COLLECTION.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, acting 
through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Military Com-
munity and Family Policy, in coordination with the Under 
Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services of 
the Department of Agriculture, shall— 
(1) develop a survey, in collaboration with the 
Department of Agriculture, to determine how many 
members of the Armed Forces serving on active 
duty, and dependents of such members, are food in-
secure; 
(2) issue the survey to such members and de-
pendents; 
(3) collect data from the survey on the use, by 
such members and dependents, of Federal nutrition 
assistance programs, including the supplemental nu-
trition assistance program under the Food and Nu-
trition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the spe-
cial supplemental nutrition program for women, in-
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fants, and children under section 17 of the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), the school 
lunch program under the Richard B. Russell Na-
tional School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), 
and the school breakfast program under section 4 of 
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773); 
and 
(4) collect data related to the number of such 
members and dependents who— 
(A) are eligible for the basic needs allow-
ance under section 402b of title 37, United 
States Code; and 
(B) receive such basic needs allowance; 
(5) develop and carry out a plan to train and 
designate an individual who will assist members at 
military installations on how and where to refer such 
members and their dependents for participation in 
Federal nutrition assistance programs described in 
paragraph (3); and 
(6) coordinate Department of Defense efforts to 
address food insecurity and nutrition. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the 
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Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
including the following: 
(1) The number of members of the Armed 
Forces serving on active duty and their dependents 
who are food insecure. 
(2) The number of such members and their de-
pendents who use the Federal nutrition assistance 
programs described in subsection (a)(3). 
(3) The number of such members and their de-
pendents described in subsection (a)(3). 
(4) The status of implementation of the plan 
under subsection (a)(5). 
Subtitle D—Defense Resale Matters 
SEC. 631. PROHIBITION ON SALE OF CHINESE GOODS IN 
COMMISSARY STORES AND MILITARY EX-
CHANGES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall prohibit the sale, at 
a commissary store or military exchange, of goods— 
(1) manufactured in China; 
(2) assembled in China; 
(3) imported into the United States from 
China; or 
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(4) containing materials from the Xinjiang 
Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Repub-
lic of China. 
Subtitle E—Miscellaneous Rights, 
Benefits, and Reports 
SEC. 641. TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 
FOR THE FORMER SPOUSE OF A MEMBER OF 
THE ARMED FORCES WHO ALLEGEDLY COM-
MITTED A DEPENDENT-ABUSE OFFENSE DUR-
ING MARRIAGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1059 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the heading— 
(A) by striking ‘‘separated for’’ and in-
serting ‘‘who commit’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘; health care’’ after 
‘‘exchange benefits’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘PUNITIVE 
AND OTHER ADVERSE ACTIONS COVERED’’ and 
inserting ‘‘COVERED MEMBERS’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘of-
fense.’’ and inserting ‘‘offense; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
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‘‘(3) who is not described in paragraph (1) or 
(2) and whose former spouse alleges that the mem-
ber committed a dependent-abuse offense— 
‘‘(A) during the marriage to the former 
spouse; 
‘‘(B) for which the applicable statute of 
limitations has not lapsed; and 
‘‘(C) that an incident determination com-
mittee determines meets the criteria for 
abuse.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) in the case of a member described in sub-
section (b)(3), shall commence upon the date of the 
final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment of 
that member from the former spouse described in 
such subsection.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
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‘‘(n) 
HEALTH
CARE
FOR
CERTAIN
FORMER 
SPOUSES.—The Secretary concerned shall treat a former 
spouse described in subsection (b)(3) as an abused de-
pendent described in section 1076(e) of this title.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 53 of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 1059 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘1059. Dependents of members who commit dependent abuse: transitional com-
pensation; commissary and exchange benefits; health care.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this Act shall apply to a former spouse described in sub-
section (b)(3) of such section 1059, as added by subsection 
(a)(2) of this section, whose final decree of divorce, dis-
solution, or annulment described in subsection (e)(1)(C) 
of such section 1059, as added by subsection (a)(3) of this 
section, is issued on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 642. AUTHORIZATION OF PERMISSIVE TEMPORARY 
DUTY FOR WELLNESS. 
In order to reduce the rate of suicides in the Armed 
Forces, the Secretary of each military department may 
prescribe regulations that authorize a member of an 
Armed Force under the jurisdiction of such Secretary to 
take not more than two weeks of permissive temporary 
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duty each year to attend a seminar, retreat, workshop, or 
outdoor recreational therapy event— 
(1) hosted by a non-profit organization; and 
(2) that focuses on psychological, physical, spir-
itual, or social wellness. 
SEC. 643. STUDY ON BASIC PAY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
seek to enter into an agreement with a nonprofit entity 
or a federally funded research and development center to 
conduct research and analysis on the value of basic pay 
for members of the Armed Forces. The Secretary may in-
clude such research and analysis in the next quadrennial 
review of military compensation. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The research and analysis con-
ducted under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the model used to deter-
mine the basic pay in the current basic pay tables, 
including— 
(A) an analysis of whether to update the 
current model to meet the needs of the 2023 
employment market; 
(B) a historical understanding of when the 
current model was established and how fre-
quently it has been during the last 10 years; 
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(C) an understanding of the assumptions 
on which the model is based and how such as-
sumptions are validated; 
(D) an analysis of time-in-grade require-
ments and how they may affect retention and 
promotion; and 
(E) an assessment of how recruiting and 
retention information is used to adjust the 
model. 
(2) An assessment of whether to modify current 
basic pay tables to consider higher rates of pay for 
specialties the Secretary determines are in critical 
need of personnel. 
(3) An analysis of— 
(A) how basic pay has compared with civil-
ian pay since the 70th percentile benchmark for 
basic pay was established; and 
(B) whether to change the 70th percentile 
benchmark. 
(4) An assessment of whether— 
(A) to adjust the annual increase in basic 
pay, currently guided by changes in the Em-
ployment Cost Index as a measure of the 
growth in private-sector employment costs; or 
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(B) to use a different index, such as the 
Defense Employment Cost Index. 
(5) Legislative and policy recommendations re-
garding basic pay table based on analyses and as-
sessments under paragraphs (1) through (4). 
(c) BRIEFINGS AND PROGRESS REPORT.— 
(1) INTERIM BRIEFING.—Not later than April 
1, 2023, the Secretary shall provide to the appro-
priate congressional committees an interim briefing 
on the elements described in subsection (b). 
(2) PROGRESS
REPORT.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a progress report on the study 
under this section. 
(3) FINAL BRIEFING.—Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a final briefing on the study under this 
section. 
(d) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means the following: 
(1) The Committee on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives. 
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(2) The Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate. 
(3) The Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives. 
(4) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 644. REPORT ON ACCURACY OF BASIC ALLOWANCE 
FOR HOUSING. 
(a) REPORT; ELEMENTS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating, shall pre-
pare and submit to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report on BAH. Such report shall contain the fol-
lowing elements: 
(1) The evaluation of the Secretary— 
(A) of the efficiency and accuracy of the 
current system used to calculate BAH; 
(B) the appropriateness of using mean and 
median housing costs in such calculation; 
(C) of existing MHAs, in relation to 
choices in, and availability of, housing to 
servicemembers; 
(D) of the suitability of the six standard 
housing profiles in relation to the average fam-
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ily sizes of servicemembers, disaggregated by 
uniformed service, rank, and MHA; 
(E) of the flexibility of BAH to respond to 
changes in real estate markets; and 
(F) of residential real estate processes to 
determine rental rates. 
(2) The recommendation of the Secretary— 
(A) regarding the feasibility of including 
information, furnished by Federal entities, re-
garding school districts, in calculating BAH; 
(B) whether to calculate BAH more fre-
quently, including in response to a sudden 
change in the housing market; 
(C) whether to enter into an agreement 
with a covered entity, to compile data and de-
velop an enterprise grade, objective, data-driven 
algorithm to calculate BAH; 
(D) whether to publish the methods used 
by the Secretary to calculate BAH on a publicly 
accessible website of the Department of De-
fense; and 
(E) whether BAH calculations appro-
priately account for increased housing costs as-
sociated with Coast Guard facilities. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means the following: 
(A) The Committee on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives. 
(B) The Committee on Armed Services of 
the Senate. 
(C) The Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. 
(D) The Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) The term ‘‘BAH’’ means the basic allow-
ance for housing for members of the uniformed serv-
ices under section 403 of title 37, United States 
Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘covered entity’’ means a nation-
ally recognized entity in the field of commercial real 
estate that has data on local rental rates in real es-
tate markets across the United States. 
(4) The term ‘‘MHA’’ means military housing 
area. 
(5) The term ‘‘servicemember’’ has the meaning 
given 
such 
term 
in 
section 
101 
of 
the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3911). 
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SEC. 645. STUDY AND REPORT ON BARRIERS TO HOME 
OWNERSHIP FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally 
funded research and development center or non-profit en-
tity to conduct a study on the barriers to home ownership 
for members of the Armed Forces. At the conclusion of 
such study, the Secretary shall submit, to the appropriate 
congressional committees, a report containing the fol-
lowing elements: 
(1) Potential barriers to such home ownership, 
including down payments, concerns about home 
maintenance, and challenges in selling a home. 
(2) The percentage of members who use the 
basic allowance for housing to pay for a mortgage, 
disaggregated by Armed Force, rank, and military 
housing area. 
(3) Any identified differences in home owner-
ship rates among members correlated with race or 
gender. 
(4) What percentage of members own a home 
before separating from the Armed Forces. 
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(b) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means the following: 
(1) The Committee on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives. 
(2) The Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate. 
(3) The Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives. 
(4) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 646. PLAN FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN EX-
PENSES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS AND VET-
ERANS RELATED TO AFGHANISTAN EVACU-
ATION. 
(a) PLAN.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a plan (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Plan’’) to reim-
burse members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty 
and veterans who expended personal funds in support of 
efforts to evacuate, from Afghanistan, Afghan nationals 
who previously supported military or reconstruction mis-
sions of the United States in Afghanistan. 
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(b) CONSULTATION.—In developing the plan, the 
Secretary shall consult with the following: 
(1) The Secretary of State. 
(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) Non-governmental organizations and vet-
erans service organizations with expertise in sup-
porting the evacuation of Afghan nationals from Af-
ghanistan. 
(c) ELEMENTS.—The Plan shall include the following 
elements: 
(1) Eligibility requirements for members of the 
Armed Forces serving on active duty and veterans to 
file a reimbursement claim under the Plan. 
(2) The criteria for reimbursement, including 
the types of reimbursable claims and maximum re-
imbursement limit. 
(3) The process for filing a reimbursement 
claim. 
(4) The supporting documentation required to 
file a reimbursement claim. 
(5) An estimate of the costs that would be asso-
ciated with implementing the Plan. 
(d) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
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shall of Defense post the plan on a publicly available 
website of the Department of Defense. 
(e) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ means: 
(1) With respect to the House of Representa-
tives: 
(A) The Committee on Oversight and Re-
form. 
(B) The Committee on Armed Services. 
(2) With respect to the Senate: 
(A) The Committee on Homeland Security 
and Government Affairs. 
(B) The Committee on Armed Services. 
SEC. 647. EXPANSION OF THE SPACE-AVAILABLE TRAVEL 
PROGRAM TO ALLOW CERTAIN DISABLED 
VETERANS TO TRAVEL WITH A CAREGIVER 
OR DEPENDENT ON CERTAIN AIRCRAFT. 
(a) EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION ON USE OF TRAVEL 
PROGRAM FUNDS.—Section 2641b(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The limitation in paragraph (2) shall not apply 
to the use of funds to purchase or design new equipment 
to carry out paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c).’’. 
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(b) CERTAIN CAREGIVER
OR DEPENDENT ELIGI-
BILITY FOR TRAVEL PROGRAM.—Section 2641b(c) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as 
paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively; 
(2) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by para-
graph (1)), by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) through 
(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (1) through (4)’’; 
and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) Subject to subsection (f) and under condi-
tions and circumstances as the Secretary shall speci-
fy in regulations under subsection (a), a caregiver or 
family caregiver (as such terms are defined in sec-
tion 1720G of title 38) of a veteran with a perma-
nent service-connected disability rated as total.’’. 
(c) LIMITATION
ON PRIORITY
IN TRAVEL PRO-
GRAM.—Section 2641b(f) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘a veteran eli-
gible for travel pursuant to subsection (c)(4)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘an individual eligible for travel pursuant 
to paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection (c)’’; and 
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(2) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking ‘‘The 
authority in subsection (c)(4)’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘The authority in paragraph (4) or (5) 
of subsection (c)’’. 
Subtitle F—Disability and Retired 
Pay 
SEC. 651. ELIMINATION OF CAP ON ADDITIONAL RETIRED 
PAY FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM FOR 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE 
WHO SERVED DURING THE VIETNAM ERA. 
Title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 1402(f)(2), by striking ‘‘The 
amount’’ and inserting ‘‘Except in the case of a 
member who served during the Vietnam Era (as that 
term is defined in section 12731 of this title), the 
amount’’; 
(2) in section 7361(a)(2), by inserting ‘‘(except 
in the case of a member who served during the Viet-
nam Era, as that term is defined in section 12731 
of this title)’’ after ‘‘based’’; and 
(3) in section 9361(a)(2), by inserting ‘‘(except 
in the case of a member who served during the Viet-
nam Era, as that term is defined in section 12731 
of this title)’’ after ‘‘based’’. 
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TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE 
PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other 
Health Care Benefits 
SEC. 701. CLARIFICATION OF COVERAGE OF ARTIFICIAL 
REPRODUCTIVE 
SERVICES 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
TRICARE BENEFICIARIES. 
Section 1074(c)(4) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(C) In providing for the coverage under this sub-
section of artificial reproductive services to any member 
of a covered armed force who incurs a serious injury or 
illness on active duty as specified in subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the coverage 
of such services, including gamete donation and surrogacy 
services, is provided without regard to whether the mem-
ber is married to a spouse of the same gender, married 
to a spouse of the opposite gender, or unmarried. 
‘‘(D) In this paragraph, the term ‘covered armed 
force’ means the following: 
‘‘(i) The Army. 
‘‘(ii) The Navy. 
‘‘(iii) The Marine Corps. 
‘‘(iv) The Air Force. 
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‘‘(v) The Space Force.’’. 
SEC. 702. CLARIFICATION OF COVERAGE OF CERTAIN 
AREOLAR NIPPLE TATTOOING PROCEDURES 
UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) COVERAGE UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 1079(a)(11)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘(including two-dimensional and 
three-dimensional areolar nipple tattooing)’’ after ‘‘breast 
reconstructive surgery’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to breast reconstruc-
tive surgeries provided on or after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 703. TRICARE DENTAL FOR SELECTED RESERVE. 
Section 1076a of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the header, by striking ‘‘selected 
reserve and’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘for members of the 
Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve 
and’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the header, by in-
serting ‘‘individual ready’’ after ‘‘other’’; and 
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(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 
following 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’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) 
as subsections (g) through (l), respectively; 
(5) by inserting after subsection (e) the fol-
lowing new subsection (f): 
‘‘(f) COPAYMENTS UNDER NO PREMIUM PLANS.—A 
member who receives dental care under a no premium plan 
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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 in-
serting ‘‘subsection (l)(2)’’. 
SEC. 704. REPORT REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN CON-
TRACTS UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) GAO REPORT UPON AWARD OF CERTAIN CON-
TRACTS.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 1097d the following 
new section (and conforming the table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 1097e. TRICARE program: report requirement for 
certain contracts 
‘‘(a) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date on which the Secretary of Defense enters into 
a major military health care contract, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the congres-
sional defense committees a report on the contract. 
‘‘(b) MATTERS.—Each report under subsection (a) 
shall include, with respect to the contract for which the 
report is submitted, a review of the process used in award-
ing the contract. 
‘‘(c) MAJOR MILITARY HEALTH CARE CONTRACT 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘major military 
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health care contract’ means a contract the Secretary de-
termines is a managed care support contract for the ad-
ministration of the TRICARE program (including the ad-
ministration of medical and dental care services under 
such program) and is estimated by the Secretary to re-
quire an eventual total expenditure of more than 
$1,000,000,000.’’. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF CRITERIA TO CONGRESS.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall develop specific 
criteria for the determination of a contract as a ‘‘major 
military health care contract’’ pursuant to section 
1097e(c) of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), and submit to the congressional defense com-
mittees a detailed list of such criteria. 
SEC. 705. TEMPORARY REQUIREMENT FOR CONTRACEP-
TION 
COVERAGE 
PARITY 
UNDER 
THE 
TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
ensure that, during the one-year period beginning on the 
date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
the Act, the imposition or collection of cost-sharing for 
certain services is prohibited as follows: 
(1) PHARMACY BENEFITS PROGRAM.—Notwith-
standing subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), of section 
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1074g(a)(6) of title 10, United States Code, cost- 
sharing may not be imposed or collected with respect 
to any eligible covered beneficiary for any prescrip-
tion contraceptive on the uniform formulary pro-
vided through a retail pharmacy described in section 
1074(a)(2)(E)(ii) of such title or through the na-
tional 
mail-order 
pharmacy 
program 
of 
the 
TRICARE Program. 
(2) TRICARE SELECT.—Notwithstanding any 
provision under section 1075 of title 10, United 
States Code, cost-sharing may not be imposed or 
collected with respect to any beneficiary under such 
section for a covered service that is provided by a 
network provider under the TRICARE program. 
(3) TRICARE PRIME.—Notwithstanding sub-
sections (a), (b), and (c) of section 1075a of title 10, 
United States Code, cost-sharing may not be im-
posed or collected with respect to any beneficiary 
under such section for a covered service that is pro-
vided under TRICARE Prime. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered service’’ means any 
method of contraception approved by the Food and 
Drug Administration, any contraceptive care (includ-
ing with respect to insertion, removal, and follow 
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up), any sterilization procedure, or any patient edu-
cation or counseling service provided in connection 
with any such method, care, or procedure. 
(2) The term ‘‘eligible covered beneficiary’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 1074g of 
title 10, United States Code. 
(3) The terms ‘‘TRICARE Program’’ and 
‘‘TRICARE Prime’’ have the meaning given such 
terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 706. RATES OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR PROVIDERS OF 
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In furnishing applied behavior 
analysis under the TRICARE program to individuals de-
scribed in subsection (b) during the period beginning on 
the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on De-
cember 31, 2023, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure 
that the reimbursement rates for providers of applied be-
havior analysis are not less than the rates that were in 
effect on April 30, 2022. 
(b) INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBED.—Individuals described 
in this subsection are individuals who are covered bene-
ficiaries by reason of being a member or former member 
of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Marine 
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Corps, including the reserve components thereof, or a de-
pendent of such a member or former member. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘cov-
ered beneficiary’’ and ‘‘TRICARE program’’ have the 
meaning given those terms in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 707. 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 De-
partment of Defense, or at such other intervals as may 
be indicated in this subsection, the Secretary shall provide 
to the 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 cri-
teria: 
(1) BREAST
CANCER.—With respect to the 
breast cancer screening, if the firefighter is a female 
firefighter— 
(A) such services shall include the provi-
sion of a mammogram to the firefighter— 
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(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 re-
gard to age); and 
(B) in connection with such provision, a li-
censed radiologist shall review the most recent 
mammogram provided to the firefighter, as 
compared to prior mammograms so provided, 
and provide to the firefighter the results of such 
review. 
(2) COLON
CANCER.—With respect to colon 
cancer screening— 
(A) if the firefighter is at least 40 years 
old, and as otherwise clinically indicated, such 
services shall include the communication to the 
firefighter 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 provi-
sion, at regular intervals, of visual examinations 
(such as a colonoscopy, CT colonoscopy, or 
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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 
testing, as the case may be. 
(3) PROSTATE CANCER.—With respect to pros-
tate cancer screening, if the firefighter is a male 
firefighter, the communication to the firefighter of 
the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screenings 
and the provision to the firefighter of a prostate-spe-
cific antigen test— 
(A) on an annual basis, if the firefighter is 
at least 50 years old; 
(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 Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention has identi-
fied as higher among firefighters than among the 
general public, the provision of which shall be car-
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ried out during the annual periodic health assess-
ment 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 
subsection (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.— 
(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 
performed; 
(B) shall document tests results, to iden-
tify trends in the rates of cancer occurrences 
among firefighters; and 
(C) may collect and maintain additional in-
formation from the recipients of such tests and 
other services, to allow for appropriate scientific 
analysis. 
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(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 
CONTROL
AND
PREVENTION.—The Secretary may 
share data from any tests performed under sub-
section (a) with the Director of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention, as appropriate, to in-
crease the 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 De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Pub-
lic 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; 
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(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. 
SEC. 708. AUDIT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE NETWORK 
PROVIDERS LISTED IN TRICARE DIRECTORY. 
(a) AUDIT REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall conduct an audit of the behavioral health care pro-
viders listed in the TRICARE directory. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report on the 
findings of the audit under subsection (a). Such report 
shall include the following: 
(1) 
An 
identification 
of 
the 
following, 
disaggregated by provider specialty and TRICARE 
region: 
(A) The number of such behavioral health 
care providers with respect to which there are 
duplicate listings in the TRICARE directory. 
(B) The number of such behavioral health 
care providers that, as of the commencement of 
the audit, were listed in the TRICARE direc-
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tory as available and accepting new TRICARE 
patients. 
(C) The number of such behavioral health 
care providers that, as a result of the audit, the 
Secretary determines are no longer available or 
accepting new TRICARE patients. 
(D) The number of such behavioral health 
care providers that were not previously listed in 
the TRICARE directory as available and ac-
cepting new TRICARE patients but that, as a 
result of the audit, the Secretary determines 
are so available and accepting. 
(E) The number of behavioral health care 
providers listed in the TRICARE directory that 
are no longer practicing. 
(F) The number of behavioral health care 
providers that, in conducting the audit, the Sec-
retary of Defense could not reach for purposes 
of verifying information relating to availability 
or status. 
(2) An identification of the number of 
TRICARE beneficiaries in each TRICARE region, 
disaggregated by beneficiary category. 
(3) A description of the methods by which the 
Secretary measures the following: 
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(A) The accessibility and accuracy of the 
TRICARE directory, with respect to behavioral 
health care providers listed therein. 
(B) The adequacy of behavioral health care 
providers under the TRICARE program. 
(4) A description of the efforts of the Secretary 
to recruit and retain behavioral health care pro-
viders. 
(5) Recommendations by the Secretary, based 
on the findings of the audit, on how to improve the 
availability of behavioral health care providers that 
are network providers under the TRICARE pro-
gram, including through the inclusion of specific re-
quirements in the next generation of TRICARE con-
tracts. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘TRICARE directory’’ means the 
directory of network providers under the TRICARE 
program. 
(2) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
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SEC. 709. INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF QUALITY AND PA-
TIENT SAFETY REVIEW PROCESS UNDER DI-
RECT CARE COMPONENT OF TRICARE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Na-
tional Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Med-
icine (in this section referred to as the ‘‘National 
Academies’’) for the National Academies to carry 
out the activities described in subsections (b) and 
(c). 
(2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall seek to enter 
into the agreement described in paragraph (1) not 
later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(b) ANALYSIS BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES.— 
(1) ANALYSIS.—Under an agreement between 
the Secretary and the National Academies entered 
into pursuant to subsection (a), the National Acad-
emies shall conduct an analysis of the quality and 
patient safety review process for health care pro-
vided under the direct care component of the 
TRICARE program and develop recommendations 
for the Secretary based on such analysis. 
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(2) ELEMENTS.—The analysis conducted and 
recommendations developed under paragraph (1) 
shall include, with respect to the direct care compo-
nent, the following: 
(A) An assessment of the procedures under 
such component regarding credentialing and 
privileging for health care providers (and an as-
sessment of compliance with such procedures). 
(B) An assessment of the processes under 
such component for quality assurance, standard 
of care, and incident review (and an assessment 
of compliance with such processes). 
(C) An assessment of the accountability 
processes under such component for health care 
providers who are found to have not met a re-
quired standard of care. 
(3) INFORMATION ACCESS AND PRIVACY.— 
(A) 
ACCESS
TO
RECORDS.—Notwith-
standing section 1102 of title 10, United States 
Code, the Secretary shall provide the National 
Academies with access to such records of the 
Department of Defense as the Secretary may 
determine necessary for purposes of the Na-
tional Academies conducting the analysis and 
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developing the recommendations under para-
graph (1). 
(B) PRIVACY OF INFORMATION.—In con-
ducting the analysis and developing the rec-
ommendations under paragraph (1), the Na-
tional Academies— 
(i) shall maintain any personally iden-
tifiable information in records accessed by 
the National Academies pursuant to sub-
paragraph (A) in accordance with applica-
ble laws, protections, and best practices re-
garding the privacy of information; and 
(ii) may not permit access to such in-
formation by any individual or entity not 
engaged in conducting such analysis or de-
veloping such recommendations. 
(c) REPORT.—Under an agreement entered into be-
tween the Secretary and the National Academies under 
subsection (a), the National Academies, not later than one 
year after the date of the execution of the agreement, 
shall— 
(1) submit to the congressional defense commit-
tees and (with respect to any findings concerning the 
Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service 
in the Department of the Navy) the Committee on 
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Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the findings of the National Academies with re-
spect to the analysis conducted and recommenda-
tions developed under subsection (b); and 
(2) make such report available on a public 
website in unclassified form. 
(d) TRICARE PROGRAM DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. 
Subtitle B—Health Care 
Administration 
SEC. 721. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT 
TO MODIFY SCOPE OF SERVICES PROVIDED 
AT MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILI-
TIES. 
Section 1073c(a) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(7)(A) The Secretary of Defense may not modify the 
scope of medical care provided at a military medical treat-
ment facility pursuant to paragraph (2)(C) (including by 
modifying the staff, types of services available, or bene-
ficiary population served, at the facility), unless— 
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‘‘(i) the Secretary submits to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a notification of the proposed modi-
fication in scope; 
‘‘(ii) a period of 180 days has elapsed following 
the date on which the Secretary submits such notifi-
cation; and 
‘‘(iii) if the proposed modification in scope in-
volves the termination or reduction of inpatient ca-
pabilities at a military medical treatment facility lo-
cated outside the United States, the Secretary has 
provided to each member of the armed forces or cov-
ered beneficiary receiving services at such facility a 
transition plan for the continuity of health care for 
such member or covered beneficiary and an oppor-
tunity to participate in at least two public forums 
convened by the Secretary, to discuss the transition 
plan and any related concerns. 
‘‘(B) Each notification under subparagraph (A) shall 
contain information demonstrating, with respect to the 
military medical treatment facility for which the modifica-
tion in scope has been proposed, the extent to which the 
commander of the military installation at which the facil-
ity is located has been consulted regarding such modifica-
tion, to ensure that the proposed modification in scope 
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would have no impact on the operational plan for such 
installation.’’. 
SEC. 722. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN DEADLINE AND RE-
QUIREMENT TO TRANSFER RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
FUNCTIONS 
TO 
DEFENSE 
HEALTH AGENCY. 
Section 1073c of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘September 30, 2022’’ and inserting 
‘‘September 30, 2023’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘the 
Army Medical Research and Materiel Com-
mand’’ and inserting ‘‘such elements and func-
tions of the Army Medical Research and Mate-
riel Command as the Secretary determines ap-
propriate’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as 
subsections (h) and (i); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (f) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(g) REPORT REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of De-
fense may not take any action to exclude an element or 
function of the Army Medical Research and Materiel Com-
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mand from organization under or transfer to the Defense 
Health Agency Research and Development pursuant to a 
determination referred to in subsection (e)(1)(B) unless— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary submits to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a report containing an explanation of 
the determination and a plan for the proposed exclu-
sion; and 
‘‘(2) a period of 90 days has elapsed following 
the date on which the Secretary submits such re-
port.’’. 
SEC. 723. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT TO TRANSFER 
PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS TO DEFENSE 
HEALTH AGENCY. 
Section 1073c(e)(2) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
by striking ‘‘A subordinate’’ and inserting ‘‘(A) A 
subordinate’’; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) as clauses (i) and (ii); 
(3) in clause (ii), as so redesignated— 
(A) by striking ‘‘comprised of’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
comprised of’’; and 
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(B) by striking ‘‘Command’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Center’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(B) At the discretion of the Secretary of De-
fense, the Secretary of a military department may 
retain an element or function that would otherwise 
be organized under or transferred to the Defense 
Health Agency Public Health pursuant to subpara-
graph (A)(ii) if the Secretary of Defense determines 
such element or function— 
‘‘(i) addresses a need that is unique to that 
military department; and 
‘‘(ii) is in direct support of operating 
forces and necessary to implement national se-
curity or defense strategies. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary of a military department 
may not take any action to retain an element or 
function pursuant to a determination by the Sec-
retary of Defense referred to in subparagraph (B) 
unless— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary of Defense submits to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate a re-
port containing an explanation of such deter-
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mination and a plan for the proposed retention; 
and 
‘‘(ii) a period of 90 days has elapsed fol-
lowing the date on which the Secretary submits 
such report.’’. 
SEC. 724. OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY FOR STUDIES 
AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS RELATING 
TO DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL 
CARE. 
Section 1092(b) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘or transactions (other than con-
tracts, cooperative agreements, and grants)’’ after ‘‘con-
tracts’’. 
SEC. 
725. 
LICENSURE 
REQUIREMENT 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING 
SERVICES AS PART OF MISSION RELATING TO 
EMERGENCY, HUMANITARIAN, OR REFUGEE 
ASSISTANCE. 
Section 1094(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting ‘‘ contractor not covered under 
section 1091 of this title who is providing medical treat-
ment as part of a mission relating to emergency, humani-
tarian, or refugee assistance,’’ after ‘‘section 1091 of this 
title,’’. 
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SEC. 726. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO MEDICAL OFFICER 
OF THE MARINE CORPS POSITION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 806 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section (and conforming the table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 8048. Medical Officer of the Marine Corps 
‘‘(a) There is a Medical Officer of the Marine Corps 
who shall be appointed from among flag officers of the 
Navy. 
‘‘(b) The Medical Officer of the Marine Corps, while 
so serving, shall hold the grade of rear admiral (lower 
half).’’. 
(b) EXCLUSION FROM CERTAIN DISTRIBUTION LIMI-
TATIONS.—Section 525 of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as sub-
section (h); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(g) A naval officer while serving as the Medical Offi-
cer of the Marine Corps is in addition to the number that 
would otherwise be permitted for the Navy for officers 
serving on active duty in the grade of rear admiral (lower 
half) under subsection (a).’’. 
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(c) EXCLUSION FROM ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH LIM-
ITATIONS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2022.—Section 526 
of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as sub-
section (l); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(k) EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL OFFICER OF MARINE 
CORPS.—The limitations of this section do not apply to 
the flag officer who is serving as the Medical Officer of 
the Marine Corps.’’. 
(d) EXCLUSION FROM ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH 
LIMITATIONS
AFTER
DECEMBER
31, 2022.—Section 
526a of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (h) through (k) 
as subsections (i) through (l), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(h) EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL OFFICER OF MARINE 
CORPS.—The limitations of this section do not apply to 
the flag officer who is serving as the Medical Officer of 
the Marine Corps.’’. 
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SEC. 727. AUTHORITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PRO-
GRAM 
TO 
PROMOTE 
EARLY 
LITERACY 
AMONG CERTAIN YOUNG CHILDREN AS PART 
OF PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE. 
(a) PROGRAM.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 1109 the fol-
lowing new section (and conforming the table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 1109A. Authority for program to promote early lit-
eracy among certain young children as 
part of pediatric primary care 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Defense may 
carry out a program to promote early literacy among 
young children the caregivers of whom are members of the 
armed forces as part of the pediatric primary care of such 
children. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—Activities under the program 
under subsection (a) shall be evidence-informed and in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(1) The provision to pediatric primary care 
providers and other appropriate personnel of the De-
partment of training on early literacy promotion. 
‘‘(2) The purchase and distribution of age-ap-
propriate books to covered caregivers. 
‘‘(3) The modification of waiting rooms in mili-
tary medical treatment facilities, including in spe-
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cific clinics within such facilities, to ensure such 
waiting rooms include materials that reinforce lan-
guage-rich interactions between young children and 
their covered caregivers, including a full selection of 
literature for young children. 
‘‘(4) The dissemination to covered caregivers of 
education materials on pediatric early literacy. 
‘‘(5) Such other activities as the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) LOCATIONS.—In carrying out the program 
under subsection (a), the Secretary may conduct the ac-
tivities under subsection (b) at any military medical treat-
ment facility. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered caregiver’ means a 
member of the armed forces who is a caregiver of a 
young child. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘young child’ means any child 
from birth to the age of five years old, inclusive.’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the 
extent to which the authority under section 1109A(a) of 
title 10, United States Code, (as added by subsection (a)) 
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is used, including a description of any activities carried 
out under the program so authorized. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion, or the amendments made by this section, shall be 
construed as requiring that a child have more than one 
caregiver as a condition of receiving services under, or oth-
erwise participating in, the program authorized under 
such section 1109A. 
SEC. 728. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS UN-
DERGOING DISABILITY EVALUATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 1, 2023, the 
Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries 
concerned, shall establish a policy to ensure accountability 
for actions taken under the authorities of the Defense 
Health Agency and the Armed Forces, respectively, con-
cerning wounded, ill, and injured members of the Armed 
Forces during the integrated disability evaluation system 
process. Such policy shall include the following: 
(1) A requirement that a determination of fit-
ness for duty under chapter 61 of title 10, United 
States Code, of a member of the Armed Forces falls 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned. 
(2) A description of the role of the Director of 
the Defense Health Organization in supporting the 
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(b) CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES REGARD-
ING MEDICAL EVALUATION BOARDS.—Section 1073c of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by redesignating 
subsection (h) as subsection (i); and by inserting after 
subsection (g) the following new subsection (h): 
‘‘(h) AUTHORITIES RESERVED TO THE SECRETARIES 
CONCERNED REGARDING THE DISABILITY EVALUATION 
SYSTEM.—Notwithstanding the responsibilities and au-
thorities of the Defense Health Agency with respect to the 
administration of military medical treatment facilities as 
set forth in this section, including medical evaluations of 
members of the armed forces, the Secretary concerned 
shall maintain personnel authority over and responsibility 
for any member of the armed forces while the member 
is being considered by a medical evaluation board. Such 
responsibility shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) Responsibility for administering the morale 
and welfare of the member. 
‘‘(2) Responsibility for determinations of fitness 
for duty of the member under chapter 61 of this 
title.’’. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than February 1, 2023, the 
Secretary of Defense shall provide to the appropriate con-
gressional committees a briefing on the status of the im-
plementation of subsections (a) and (b). 
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(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 729. INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR RETENTION OF CER-
TAIN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS. 
(a) INCENTIVE PAYMENTS
FOR CERTAIN BEHAV-
IORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.— 
(1) INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.—The Secretary of 
Defense, using authorities available to the Secretary, 
shall increase the use of incentive payments paid to 
individuals described in paragraph (2) for the pur-
pose of retaining such employees. 
(2) ELIGIBLE
RECIPIENTS.—Individuals de-
scribed in this paragraph are covered civilian behav-
ioral health providers in the following professions: 
(A) Clinical psychologists. 
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(B) Social workers. 
(C) Counselors. 
(3) PRIORITIZATION.—In increasing the use of 
incentive payments under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary of Defense shall give priority for such an in-
centive payment to an individual described in para-
graph (2) who is stationed at a remote installation 
or an installation with a higher-than-average turn-
over of covered civilian behavioral health providers, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
(4) REPORTS.—Not later than February 1 of 
each of calendar years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the con-
gressional defense committees a report that includes 
the following: 
(A) The number of covered civilian behav-
ioral health providers as of the end of the fiscal 
year preceding the year in which the report is 
submitted, disaggregated by the professions 
specified in paragraph (2) and by whether the 
covered civilian behavioral health provider is 
stationed at a remote installation. 
(B) Of such covered civilian behavioral 
health providers, the number who, during such 
preceding fiscal year, received an incentive pay-
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ment 
referred 
to 
in 
paragraph 
(1), 
disaggregated by the professions specified in 
paragraph (2) and by whether the covered civil-
ian behavioral health provider is stationed at a 
remote installation. 
(C) With respect to such covered civilian 
behavioral health providers who so received an 
incentive payment, the median and mean incen-
tive payment amount so received, disaggregated 
by the professions specified in paragraph (2) 
and by whether the covered civilian behavioral 
health provider is stationed at a remote instal-
lations. 
(D) For the five fiscal years preceding the 
year in which the report is submitted, the ag-
gregate amount of incentive payments referred 
to in paragraph (1) paid to covered civilian be-
havioral health providers. 
(E) A summary of the actions taken by the 
Secretary to implement the requirements of this 
section. 
(F) An assessment of the effectiveness of 
increasing the use of incentive payments under 
paragraph (1) for improved retention of covered 
civilian behavioral health providers. 
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(G) Any recommendations by the Secretary 
for additional authorities, or modifications to 
authorities already available to the Secretary, to 
further improve the retention of covered civilian 
behavioral health providers. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘behavioral health’’ includes clin-
ical psychology, social work, counseling, and related 
fields. 
(2) The term ‘‘civilian behavioral health pro-
vider’’ means a behavioral health provider who is a 
civilian employee of the Department of Defense. 
(3) The term ‘‘counselor’’ means an individual 
who holds— 
(A) a master’s or doctoral degree from an 
accredited graduate program in— 
(i) marriage and family therapy; or 
(ii) clinical mental health counseling; 
and 
(B) a current license or certification from 
a State that grants the individual the authority 
to provide counseling services as an independent 
practitioner in the respective field of the indi-
vidual. 
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(4) The term ‘‘covered civilian behavioral health 
provider’’ means a civilian behavioral health provider 
whose employment by the Secretary of Defense in-
volves the provision of behavioral health services at 
a military medical treatment facility. 
(5) The term ‘‘military installation’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 2801 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(6) The term ‘‘remote installation’’ means a 
military installation that the Secretary determines to 
be in a remote location. 
SEC. 730. CLARIFICATION OF LICENSE PORTABILITY FOR 
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS PROVIDING SERV-
ICES UNDER RESERVE HEALTH READINESS 
PROGRAM. 
For purposes of license portability under paragraph 
(1) of section 1094(d) of title 10, United States Code, a 
health care provider who provides medical or dental serv-
ices under the Reserve Health Readiness program of the 
Department of Defense (or any successor program) and 
meets the requirements specified in subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) of paragraph (2) of such section shall be consid-
ered a health-care professional described in such para-
graph. 
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SEC. 731. POLICY OF DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY ON EX-
PANDED RECOGNITION OF BOARD CERTIFI-
CATIONS FOR PHYSICIANS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Director of the Defense Health 
Agency shall revise the policy of the Defense Health Agen-
cy relating to credentialing and privileging under the mili-
tary health system, to expand the recognition of board cer-
tifications for physicians under such policy to a wide range 
of additional board certifications. 
SEC. 732. SLEEP APNEA SCREENING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary 
of Defense for Health Affairs shall provide a plan to the 
congressional defense committees for a pilot program to 
screen for obstructive sleep apnea among persons going 
through the officer accession program. 
(b) PLAN CONTENTS.—This plan required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) how many individuals will be tested under 
the pilot program; and 
(2) how much the pilot program would cost. 
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SEC. 733. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ON INFANT AND 
EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH SERV-
ICES FOR CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES.— 
The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of 
the availability at military installations (and in the sur-
rounding communities) of covered services at the Federal, 
State, and local level for covered children, for the purpose 
of ensuring access to such services for covered children 
with infant and early childhood mental health needs. Such 
assessment shall address, at a minimum, the following: 
(1) The availability of covered services that ad-
vance social and emotional development for covered 
children, including any relevant certification or en-
dorsement programs for professionals serving as in-
fant and early childhood mental health consultants 
for military child development centers. 
(2) The availability of adequate diagnostic and 
non-medical intervention covered services for covered 
children. 
(3) The availability of supplemental covered 
services for covered children, such as consultation 
services provided by licensed professionals who are 
appropriately certified or endorsed in infant and 
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early childhood mental health, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(4) The ease of access to adequate covered edu-
cational or treatment services for covered children, 
as appropriate, such as the average duration of time 
spent on waiting lists prior to receiving such serv-
ices. 
(b) REVIEW OF BEST PRACTICES.—In developing the 
assessment under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense 
shall conduct a review of best practices across the United 
States for the provision of covered services to covered chil-
dren. Such review shall include an assessment of any cov-
ered services of the Federal or State government available 
in each State, with an emphasis on the availability in loca-
tions where members of the Armed Forces with children 
reside. 
(c) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.— 
(1) PROJECTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of 
Defense may conduct one or more demonstration 
projects under this subsection to test and evaluate 
various approaches to the provision of covered serv-
ices to covered children, for the purposes of deter-
mining the efficacy of such approaches, reducing in-
cidents of behavioral issues among those with infant 
and early childhood mental health needs, ensuring 
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the early identification of such needs that may re-
quire non-medical intervention, and such other re-
lated purposes as may be determined appropriate by 
the Secretary. 
(2) PARTICIPANTS.—The Secretary may select 
for participation in the study— 
(A) members of the Armed Forces with 
covered children who elect to so participate; and 
(B) military child development centers that 
are located on or near military installations or 
that otherwise provide services to covered chil-
dren. 
(3) PERSONNEL.—In carrying out a demonstra-
tion project under this subsection, the Secretary of 
Defense may assign personnel who hold a covered 
degree that the Secretary determines appropriate for 
the provision of covered services to act as consult-
ants for the provision of such services to covered 
children who are participants in the demonstration 
project. Under such demonstration project, such as-
signed personnel may— 
(A) develop and monitor promotion and 
prevention, and non-medical intervention, plans 
for such participants; 
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(B) provide appropriate training in the 
provision of covered services to such partici-
pants; 
(C) provide non-medical counseling services 
to such participants, and any members of the 
Armed Forces who are the caregivers of such 
participants, as appropriate; 
(D) coordinate and collaborate with other 
relevant service providers on the military instal-
lation or in the surrounding community regard-
ing covered services; and 
(E) become endorsed, or work towards be-
coming endorsed, by an organization that pro-
vides licensing or professional certifications rec-
ognized by the Federal or State government for 
infant and early childhood mental health profes-
sionals. 
(4) INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL 
HEALTH CONSULTATIONS.— 
(A) CURRICULUM.—As an activity under 
the demonstration project, the Secretary of De-
fense may authorize the development of a com-
prehensive professional development curriculum 
for use in training non-medical counselors in in-
fant and early childhood mental health con-
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sultation services, so that such counselors may 
serve as infant early childhood mental health 
consultants for covered children who are partici-
pants in the demonstration project. 
(B) COMPETENCY GUIDELINES.—The cur-
riculum under subparagraph (A) shall be based 
on a set of competency guidelines that are— 
(i) designed to enhance culturally sen-
sitive, relationship-focused practice within 
the framework of infant and early child-
hood mental health; and 
(ii) recognized by an organization 
specified in paragraph (3)(E) for the pur-
poses of certification or endorsement as a 
infant and early childhood mental health 
practitioner. 
(5) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— 
(A) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of De-
fense may enter into a contract, or multiple 
contracts, for the conduct of any demonstration 
project under this subsection. 
(B) REQUIREMENT
FOR
SUPERVISORY- 
LEVEL PROVIDERS.—As a term of any contract 
that is entered into pursuant to subparagraph 
(A) for the implementation of special edu-
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cational and behavioral intervention plans for 
covered children who are participants in the 
demonstration project, the Secretary shall re-
quire that any such plan be developed, reviewed, 
and maintained by supervisory-level providers 
approved by the Secretary. 
(C) CONTRACTOR
REQUIREMENTS.—The 
Secretary shall establish, and ensure the imple-
mentation of, the following: 
(i) Minimum required criteria for the 
education, training, and experience of any 
contractor furnishing covered services pur-
suant to a contract under subparagraph 
(A). 
(ii) Requirements for the supervision 
and oversight of contractors who are infant 
and early childhood mental health consult-
ants, including requirements for relevant 
credentials for such consultants and the 
frequency and intensity of such super-
vision. 
(iii) Such other requirements as the 
Secretary considers appropriate to ensure 
the safety and protection of covered chil-
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dren who are participants in the dem-
onstration project. 
(6) DEADLINE
TO
COMMENCE; MINIMUM
PE-
RIOD.—For each demonstration project conducted 
under this subsection— 
(A) the Secretary shall commence the dem-
onstration project not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(B) the demonstration project shall be con-
ducted for a period of not less than two years. 
(7) EVALUATION.— 
(A) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall conduct an evaluation of the out-
comes of each demonstration project conducted 
under this subsection, to determine the efficacy 
of covered services provided under the dem-
onstration project. 
(B) MATTERS.— Each evaluation under 
subparagraph (A) shall include, with respect to 
the relevant demonstration project, an assess-
ment of the extent to which activities under the 
demonstration project contributed to the fol-
lowing: 
(i) Positive outcomes for covered chil-
dren. 
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(ii) Improvements to the services and 
continuity of care for covered children. 
(iii) Improvements to military family 
readiness and enhanced military retention. 
(d) REPORTS ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—Not 
later than two years and 180 days after the date of the 
commencement of a demonstration project under sub-
section (c), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the House of Represent-
atives and the Senate a report on the demonstration 
project. Such report shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the demonstration project. 
(2) The results of the evaluation under sub-
section (c)(7) with respect to the demonstration 
project. 
(3) A description of plans for the future provi-
sion of covered services, in accordance with the 
model or approach evaluated pursuant to the dem-
onstration project. 
(e) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BENEFITS.—Nothing 
in this section shall be construed as precluding a member 
of the Armed Forces, or a dependent of such a member, 
from eligibility for benefits under chapter 55 of title 10, 
United States Code, to which such member or dependent 
would otherwise be eligible. 
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(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘child’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered child’’ means the infant, 
toddler, or young child (from birth to age five, inclu-
sive) of a member of the Armed Forces. 
(3) The term ‘‘covered degree’’ means a post-
secondary degree that— 
(A) is awarded by an institution of higher 
of education eligible to participate in programs 
under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.); and 
(B) is in the field of mental health, human 
development, social work, or a related field, as 
determined by the Secretary of Defense. 
(4) The term ‘‘covered educational or treatment 
service’’— 
(A) means a service, including a supportive 
service, that provides quality early childhood 
education by promoting healthy social and emo-
tional development and providing support for 
children experiencing mental health challenges; 
and 
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(B) includes the conduct of assessments, 
coaching for educators and parents, and refer-
rals to health care professionals with specialties 
in infant and early childhood mental health for 
diagnosis, therapeutic treatment, and early 
intervention. 
(5) The term ‘‘covered service’’ means a covered 
educational and treatment service or any other med-
ical or non-medical service, including consultation 
services, relating to the improvement of infant and 
early childhood mental health in the context of fam-
ily, community, and culture. 
(6) The term ‘‘infant and early childhood men-
tal health’’ means the developing capacity of an in-
fant, toddler, or young child (from birth to age five, 
inclusive), to— 
(A) form close and secure adult and peer 
relationships; 
(B) experience, manage, and express a full 
range of emotions; and 
(C) explore the environment and learn. 
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SEC. 734. IMPROVEMENTS TO PROCESSES TO REDUCE FI-
NANCIAL HARM CAUSED TO CIVILIANS FOR 
CARE 
PROVIDED 
AT 
MILITARY 
MEDICAL 
TREATMENT FACILITIES. 
(a) CLARIFICATION OF FEE WAIVER PROCESS.—Sec-
tion 1079b of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(b) WAIVER OF FEES.—Each commander (or direc-
tor, as applicable) of a military medical treatment facility 
shall issue a waiver for a fee that would otherwise be 
charged under the procedures implemented under sub-
section (a) to a civilian provided medical care at the facil-
ity who is not a covered beneficiary if the provision of such 
care enhances the knowledge, skills, and abilities of health 
care providers, as determined by the respective com-
mander or director.’’; and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d). 
(b) MODIFIED PAYMENT PLAN FOR CERTAIN CIVIL-
IANS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Such section is further 
amended— 
(A) by inserting after subsection (b), as 
amended by subsection (a), the following: 
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‘‘(c) MODIFIED PAYMENT PLAN FOR CERTAIN CIVIL-
IANS.—(1)(A) If a civilian specified in subsection (a) is 
covered by a covered payer at the time care under this 
section is provided, the civilian shall only be responsible 
to pay, for any services not covered by such covered payer, 
copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or nominal fees. 
‘‘(B)(i) The Secretary of Defense may bill only the 
covered payer for care provided to a civilian described in 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(ii) Payment received by the Secretary from the cov-
ered payer of a civilian for care provided under this section 
that is provided to the civilian shall be considered payment 
in full for such care. 
‘‘(2) If a civilian specified in subsection (a) does not 
meet the criteria under paragraph (1), is underinsured, 
or has a remaining balance and is at risk of financial 
harm, the Secretary of Defense shall reduce each fee that 
would otherwise be charged to the civilian under this sec-
tion according to a sliding fee discount program. 
‘‘(3) If a civilian specified in subsection (a) does not 
meet the criteria under paragraph (1) or (2), the Sec-
retary of Defense shall implement an additional cata-
strophic waiver to prevent financial harm. 
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‘‘(4) The modified payment plan under this sub-
section may not be administered by a Federal agency other 
than the Department of Defense.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered payer’ means a third- 
party payer or other insurance, medical service, or 
health plan. 
‘‘(2) The terms ‘third-party payer’ and ‘insur-
ance, medical service, or health plan’ have the mean-
ing given those terms in section 1095(h) of this 
title.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
sections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to care pro-
vided on or after the date that is 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 735. IMPROVEMENTS TO MILITARY MEDICAL TREAT-
MENT FACILITIES AND OTHER FACILITIES 
UNDER MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a study on any deficiencies of, and necessary improve-
ments to, military medical treatment facilities and other 
covered facilities, to ensure the design, construction, and 
maintenance of such facilities are in compliance with each 
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covered code, specification, and standard. Such study shall 
include an identification of any necessary updates to the 
Unified Facilities Criteria relating to military construction 
planning and design with respect to such facilities, to en-
sure such compliance. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) FIRST REPORT.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a report on the findings of the 
study under subsection (a). Such report shall in-
clude— 
(A) for each covered facility, a description 
of any deficiencies identified pursuant to such 
study; and 
(B) the plans of the Secretary, including 
costs and timelines, to address such deficiencies 
through the rehabilitation, repair, or retrofit of 
the facility, as applicable. 
(2) ANNUAL
REPORTS.—Not later than one 
year after the date on which the report under para-
graph (1) is submitted, and on an annual basis 
thereafter until the date on which the Secretary de-
termines all covered facilities are in compliance with 
each covered code, specification, and standard, the 
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Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report on the progress made toward 
addressing any deficiency of a covered facility and 
maintaining covered facilities, to ensure such compli-
ance. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered code, specification, and 
standard’’— 
(A) means the latest published edition of 
any code, specification, or standard that incor-
porates the latest hazard-resistant and energy- 
efficient designs, establishes minimum accept-
able criteria for design, construction, or mainte-
nance, and is at least as stringent as the pre-
viously published edition; and 
(B) includes the following (or the latest 
published edition thereof that is at least as 
stringent as the previously published edition): 
(i) The 2021 International Energy 
Conservation Code. 
(ii) The ASHRAE Standard 90.1. 
(iii) The ASHRAE Standard 170. 
(iv) The ASHRAE Standard 189.3. 
(v) The American Society of Civil En-
gineers Minimum Design Loads for Build-
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ings and Other Structures (ASCE Stand-
ard ASCE 7). 
(vi) The International Wildland-Urban 
Interface Code. 
(vii) Executive Order 13690 of Janu-
ary 30, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 6425) (relat-
ing to a Federal Flood Risk Management 
Standard for critical facilities). 
(2) The term ‘‘covered facility’’ means any De-
partment of Defense-owned facility used for activi-
ties under the military health system, including mili-
tary medical treatment facilities, military ambula-
tory care and occupational health facilities, and de-
fense health research facilities. 
SEC. 736. ACCESS TO CERTAIN DEPENDENT MEDICAL 
RECORDS BY REMARRIED FORMER SPOUSES. 
(a) ACCESS.—The Secretary of Defense may author-
ize a remarried former spouse who is a custodial parent 
of a dependent child to retain electronic access to the priv-
ileged medical records of such dependent child, notwith-
standing that the former spouse is no longer a dependent 
under section 1072(2) of title 10, United States Code. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘dependent’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘dependent child’’ means a de-
pendent child of a remarried former spouse and a 
member or former member of a uniformed service. 
(3) The term ‘‘remarried former spouse’’ means 
a remarried former spouse of a member or former 
member of a uniformed service. 
SEC. 737. AFFILIATES SHARING PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 5318(g)(8)(B)(iii) of title 31, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘3 years after the date of 
enactment of this paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘3 years after 
the date that the Secretary of the Treasury issues rules 
pursuant to subparagraph (A)’’. 
SEC. 738. HOUSING FIRST REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development shall, not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section, submit to the 
Financial Services Committee of the House of Representa-
tives and the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Com-
mittee of the Senate, a report about the effectiveness and 
success of housing first policies in addressing homeless-
ness by connecting homeless individuals with housing and 
voluntary services. 
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(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include findings made by the Secretary 
of Housing and Urban Development with respect to the 
barriers that people experiencing homelessness face when 
attempting to secure permanent housing. 
(c) HOUSING FIRST POLICY DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘housing first policy’’ means a policy that 
prohibits conditioning the provision of housing assistance 
for an individual or family on— 
(1) individual or family participation in sup-
portive services, such as counseling, job training, or 
addiction treatment, for such individual or family; or 
(2) such individuals or family meeting certain 
prerequisites, including employment, sobriety, or 
lack of drug use. 
Subtitle C—Studies and Reports 
SEC. 741. GAO STUDY ON COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH 
DISORDERS UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM AND 
RELATIONSHIP 
TO 
CERTAIN 
MENTAL 
HEALTH PARITY LAWS. 
(a) STUDY AND REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall— 
(1) conduct a study to identify and assess the 
similarities and differences with respect to coverage 
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of mental health disorders under the TRICARE pro-
gram and coverage requirements under mental 
health parity laws; and 
(2) submit to the Secretary of Defense, the con-
gressional defense committees, and (with respect to 
any findings concerning the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Department of the 
Navy), the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report containing the findings of such study. 
(b) MATTERS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) A description of any overlaps or gaps be-
tween coverage requirements under the TRICARE 
program and under the mental health parity laws, 
with respect to treatment for the continuum of men-
tal health disorders (including substance use dis-
order). 
(2) An identification of any existing or antici-
pated effects of any such overlaps or gaps on access 
to care by TRICARE beneficiaries. 
(3) An identification of denial rates under the 
TRICARE program for requests by TRICARE bene-
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ficiaries for coverage of mental or behavioral health 
care services, and the overturn rates of appeals for 
such requests, disaggregated by type of health care 
service. 
(4) A list of each mental or behavioral health 
care provider type that is not an authorized provider 
type under the TRICARE program. 
(5) An identification of any anticipated effects 
of modifying coverage requirements under the 
TRICARE program to bring such requirements into 
conformity with mental health parity laws, including 
an assessment of the following: 
(A) Potential costs to the Department of 
Defense, the Department of Homeland Security 
(with respect to matters concerning the Coast 
Guard when it is not operating as a service in 
the Department of the Navy), and TRICARE 
beneficiaries as a result of such modification. 
(B) The adequacy of the TRICARE pro-
gram network to support such modification. 
(C) Potential effects of such modification 
on access to care by TRICARE beneficiaries. 
(D) Such other matters as may be deter-
mined appropriate by the Comptroller General. 
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(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
on which the Secretaries receives the report submitted 
under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall provide to the 
congressional defense committees a briefing on any statu-
tory changes the Secretaries determine necessary to close 
gaps in the coverage of mental health disorders under the 
TRICARE program, including any such gaps identified in 
the report, to bring such coverage into conformity with 
requirements under mental health parity laws. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘mental health parity laws’’ 
means— 
(A) section 2726 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26); 
(B) section 712 of the Employee Retire-
ment Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 
1185a); 
(C) section 9812 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9812); or 
(D) any other Federal law that applies the 
requirements under any of the sections de-
scribed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), or re-
quirements that are substantially similar to 
those provided under any such section, as deter-
mined by the Comptroller General. 
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(2) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 742. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW 
COMMAND ON DEFENSE HEALTH. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a feasibility study regarding the establishment of a new 
defense health command under which the Defense Health 
Agency would be a joint component. In conducting such 
study, the Secretary shall consider for the new command 
each of the following potential structures: 
(1) A unified combatant command. 
(2) A specified combatant command. 
(3) Any other defense health command struc-
ture the Secretary determines appropriate. 
(b) MATTERS.—The study under subsection (a) shall 
include, with respect to the new command specified in 
such subsection, the following: 
(1) An assessment of the organizational struc-
ture required to establish the new command with the 
following responsibilities and duties: 
(A) The conduct of health operations 
among operational units of the Armed Forces. 
(B) The administration of military medical 
treatment facilities. 
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(C) The administration of the TRICARE 
program. 
(D) Serving as the element of the Armed 
Forces with the primary responsibility for the 
following: 
(i) Medical treatment, advanced trau-
ma management, emergency surgery, and 
resuscitative care. 
(ii) Emergency and specialty surgery, 
intensive care, medical specialty care, and 
related services. 
(iii) Preventive, acute, restorative, cu-
rative, 
rehabilitative, 
and 
convalescent 
care. 
(E) Collaboration with medical facilities 
participating in the National Disaster Medical 
System established pursuant to section 2812 of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300hh–11), the Veterans Health Administra-
tion, and such other Federal departments and 
agencies and nongovermental organizations as 
may be determined appropriate, including with 
respect to the care services specified in subpara-
graph (D)(iii). 
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(F) The conduct of existing research and 
education activities of the Department of De-
fense in the filed of health sciences. 
(G) The conduct of public health and glob-
al health activities not otherwise assigned to the 
Armed Forces. 
(H) The administration of the Defense 
Health Program Account under section 1100 of 
title 10, United States Code. 
(2) A description of the potential reporting rela-
tionship between the commander of the new com-
mand, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health 
Affairs, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Per-
sonnel and Readiness. 
(3) A description of the roles of the Surgeons 
General of the Army, Navy and Air Force, with re-
spect to the commander of the new command. 
(4) A description of the additional legislative 
authorities, if any, necessary to establish the new 
command. 
(c) BRIEFING; REPORT.—Not later than September 
30, 2023, the Secretary of Defense shall— 
(1) provide to the Committees of Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
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briefing on the results of the study under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) submit to the Committees of Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
briefing and report on the results of such study. 
SEC. 743. STUDY AND AWARENESS INITIATIVE REGARDING 
USE OF QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE THERA-
PIES TO TREAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES ON TERMINAL LEAVE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a study on the use of qualified alternative therapies as 
alternative therapies to prescription opioids in the treat-
ment of members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave 
preceding separation, retirement, or release from active 
duty. 
(b) PARTICIPANTS.—The Secretary shall select par-
ticipants in the study under subsection (a) from among 
members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave— 
(1) who have been diagnosed with post trau-
matic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury, or 
any other condition involving severe pain, as deter-
mined by the Secretary for purposes of this section; 
(2) who but for such participation, would be 
prescribed opioid medications in connection with the 
treatment of such condition; and 
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(3) who elect to participate in the study (includ-
ing in the post-study monitoring under subsection 
(c)). 
(c) POST-STUDY MONITORING.—Following the con-
clusion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall monitor the effects of such study on the health of 
former participants by conducting assessments of such 
former participants, and shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees reports on the results of such moni-
toring, at the following intervals: 
(1) One year after the date of such conclusion. 
(2) Three years after the date of such conclu-
sion. 
(d) EFFECT ON OTHER BENEFITS.—The eligibility 
or entitlement of a member of the Armed Forces to any 
other benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary 
shall not be affected by the participation of the member 
in the study under this section (including by participation 
in the post-study monitoring under subsection (c)). 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a report on the findings of the study under subsection (a). 
Such report shall include— 
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(1) a description of any such findings relating 
to the benefits or other effects of using a qualified 
alternative therapy as an alternative to prescription 
opioids under the study; and 
(2) any recommendations of the Secretary 
based on such findings. 
(f) EDUCATION INITIATIVE.—The Secretary shall 
carry out an education initiative regarding the use of a 
qualified alternative therapy for the treatment of the con-
ditions referred to in subsection (b)(1). In carrying out 
such initiative, the Secretary shall take into consider-
ation— 
(1) to the extent practicable, the findings of the 
study under subsection (a); 
(2) the specific vulnerability to opioid abuse and 
substance abuse disorder of individuals transitioning 
from serving on active duty in the Armed Forces; 
and 
(3) best practices for reducing the stigmatiza-
tion of qualified alternative therapies. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The terms ‘‘active duty’’ and ‘‘Armed 
Forces’’ have the meaning given those terms in sec-
tion 101 of title 10, United States Code. 
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(2) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the congressional defense committees; 
(B) the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce of the House of Representatives; and 
(C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
(3) The term ‘‘qualified alternative therapy’’ 
means— 
(A) medicinal cannabis; 
(B) 
methylenedioxymethamphetamine 
(commonly referred to as MDMA); and 
(C) psilocybin. 
SEC. 744. REPORT ON COMPOSITION OF MEDICAL PER-
SONNEL OF EACH MILITARY DEPARTMENT 
AND RELATED MATTERS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 
five years, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with 
the Secretaries of the military departments, shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report on the composi-
tion of the medical personnel of each military department 
and related matters. 
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(b) MATTERS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) With respect to each military department, 
the following: 
(A) An identification of the total number 
of medical personnel of the military depart-
ment. 
(B) An identification of the number of 
such medical personnel who are officers in a 
grade above O–6. 
(C) An identification of the number of 
such medical personnel who are officers in a 
grade below O–7. 
(D) An identification of the number of 
such medical personnel who are enlisted mem-
bers. 
(E) An assessment of potential issues re-
lating to the composition of such medical per-
sonnel. 
(F) A description of any plans of the Sec-
retary to— 
(i) reduce the total number of such 
medical personnel; or 
(ii) eliminate any covered position for 
such medical personnel. 
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(G) A recommendation by the Secretary 
for the number of covered positions for such 
medical personnel that should be required for 
purposes of maximizing medical readiness 
(without regard to current statutory limitations, 
or potential future statutory limitations, on 
such number), presented as a total number for 
each military department and disaggregated by 
grade. 
(2) An assessment of the advisability of estab-
lishing within the Department of the Air Force, by 
not later than five years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, a position of the Medical Officer 
of the Space Force with the responsibilities of advis-
ing the Chief of Space Operations on all matters re-
lating to health care for members of the Space Force 
and serving as the expert on such matters in work-
ing with the heads of other Federal departments and 
agencies on related issues. 
(3) An assessment of the necessity of maintain-
ing the position of the Medical Officer of the Marine 
Corps, including— 
(A) a comparison of the effects of filling 
such position with an officer in the grade of O– 
6 versus an officer in the grade of O–7; 
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(B) an assessment of potential issues asso-
ciated with the elimination of such position; and 
(C) a description of any potential effects of 
such elimination with respect to medical readi-
ness. 
(c) DISAGGREGATION OF CERTAIN DATA.—The data 
specified in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection 
(b)(1) shall be presented as a total number and 
disaggregated by each medical component of the respective 
military department. 
(d) INCLUSION OF CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.— 
The data specified in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of 
subsection (b)(1) shall include a description and analysis 
of the demographic information of the medical personnel 
covered by each such subparagraph, including with respect 
to the following: 
(1) Race (presented in the aggregate and 
disaggregated by the same major race categories as 
are used in the decennial census of population and 
housing conducted by the Director of the Census 
Bureau). 
(2) Ethnicity. 
(3) Gender identity. 
(e) CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSESSING CERTAIN SPACE 
FORCE MATTER.—In conducting the assessment pursuant 
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to subsection (b)(2), the Secretary of Defense shall take 
into consideration the tasks, operations, and specific 
health care considerations that accompany the space 
warfighting mission of the Space Force. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered position’’ means a posi-
tion for an officer in a grade above O–6. 
(2) The terms ‘‘enlisted member’’ and ‘‘officer’’ 
have the meanings given those terms in section 
101(b) of title 10, United States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘medical component’’ means— 
(A) in the case of the Army, the Medical 
Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, Medical 
Service Corps, Veterinary Corps, and Army 
Medical Specialist Corps; 
(B) in the case of the Air Force, members 
designated as medical officers, dental officers, 
Air Force nurses, medical service officers, and 
biomedical science officers; and 
(C) in the case of the Navy, the Medical 
Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, and Medical 
Service Corps. 
(4) The term ‘‘medical personnel’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 115a(e) of title 
10, United States Code. 
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(5) The term ‘‘military department’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101(a) of such 
title. 
SEC. 745. BRIEFING AND REPORT ON REDUCTION OR RE-
ALIGNMENT OF MILITARY MEDICAL MAN-
NING AND MEDICAL BILLETS. 
Section 731(a)(2)(A) of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117– 
81) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) BRIEFING; 
REPORT.—The Comp-
troller General shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate— 
‘‘(i) a briefing on preliminary observa-
tions regarding the analyses used to sup-
port any reduction or realignment of mili-
tary medical manning, including any re-
duction or realignment of medical billets of 
the military departments, not later than 
December 27, 2022; and 
‘‘(ii) a report on such analyses not 
later than May 31, 2023.’’. 
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SEC. 746. REPORT ON FEASABILITY OF CERTAIN LICENS-
ING MODELS FOR DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE-OWNED VACCINES AND OTHER MED-
ICAL INTERVENTIONS RELATING TO COVID– 
19. 
(a) REPORT.—The Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report on the 
feasibility of a licensing model under which, with respect 
to Department of Defense-owned vaccines or other medical 
interventions relating to COVID–19 that are approved, li-
censed, or otherwise authorized for use in accordance with 
applicable law, the Secretary would grant to Government- 
owned contractor-operated manufacturers nonexclusive li-
censes to manufacture such vaccines or other interven-
tions. 
(b) MATTERS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include an evaluation of the estimated differences in the 
pricing of, and equitable access to, the vaccines and other 
interventions specified in such subsection, that may arise 
as a result of— 
(1) the Secretary granting exclusive licenses to 
manufacture such vaccines and other interventions, 
as compared with nonexclusive licenses; and 
(2) the Secretary granting either such license to 
Government-owned contractor-operated manufactur-
ers, as compared with other manufacturers. 
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SEC. 747. STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF MILITARY TRAUMA 
AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE ON MA-
TERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry 
out a study on the impact of military trauma and intimate 
partner violence on maternal health outcomes, with a focus 
on racial and ethnic backgrounds. 
(b) REPORT.—The Secretary of Defense shall issue 
a report to the Congress containing all findings and deter-
minations made in carrying out the study required under 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 748. REPORT ON COVERAGE OF BEHAVIORAL AND 
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES UNDER 
TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(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 re-
port on the scope of coverage under the TRICARE pro-
gram of inpatient and outpatient behavioral and mental 
health crisis services. 
(b) MATTERS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include, with respect to the period beginning on January 
1, 2019, and ending on December 31, 2021, an identifica-
tion of the following: 
(1) The total amount of funds expended under 
the TRICARE program on behavioral and mental 
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health crisis services, disaggregated by the site at 
which the service was furnished. 
(2) The total amount of funds expended under 
such program for other services furnished to individ-
uals in behavioral or mental health crisis. 
(3) The provider types that billed for the serv-
ices specified in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘crisis services’’ means the serv-
ices identified as such in the document of the Sub-
stance Abuse and Mental Health Service Adminis-
tration published in 2020, titled ‘‘National Guide-
lines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care: Best Prac-
tice Toolkit’’. 
(2) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 749. REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER READI-
NESS DESIGNATIONS. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall update 
the registry and provider lists under subsection (b) of sec-
tion 717 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 868; 10 
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U.S.C. 1073 note) and submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report containing— 
(1) the number of providers that have received 
a mental health provider readiness designation under 
such section 717, disaggregated by geographic re-
gion and provider specialty; and 
(2) recommendations to incentivize, or other-
wise increase the number of, providers with such 
designation. 
SEC. 750. STUDY ON PROVIDER TRAINING GAPS WITH RE-
SPECT TO SCREENING AND TREATMENT OF 
MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense, acting 
through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Af-
fairs, shall conduct a study to identify gaps in the training 
of covered providers with respect to the screening and 
treatment of maternal mental health conditions. Such 
study shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the level of experience of 
covered providers with, and the attitudes of such 
providers regarding, the treatment of pregnant and 
postpartum women with mental or substance use 
disorders; and 
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(2) recommendations for the training of covered 
providers, taking into account any training gaps 
identified pursuant to the study. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate a report con-
taining the findings of the study under section (a). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered provider’’ means a ma-
ternal health care provider or behavioral health pro-
vider furnishing services under the military health 
system (including under the TRICARE program). 
(2) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 751. REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND 
METABOLIC DISEASE AMONG CERTAIN MEM-
BERS OF ARMED FORCES. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a study, and submit to Congress a report, on the rate of 
incidence of the simultaneous presence among members of 
the Armed Forces serving on active duty of a metabolic 
disease and a mental health condition (including post 
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traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety) or sub-
stance use disorder. 
SEC. 752. STUDY ON ACCESSABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH 
PROVIDERS 
AND 
SERVICES 
FOR 
ACTIVE 
DUTY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a study on the accessibility of mental health care providers 
and services for members of the Armed Forces serving on 
active duty, including an assessment of— 
(1) the accessibility of mental health care pro-
viders on military installations; 
(2) the accessibility of inpatient services for 
mental health care for such members; and 
(3) steps that may be taken to improve such ac-
cessibility. 
(b) 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 
House of Representatives and the Senate a report con-
taining the findings of the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 753. HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIORS SURVEY AND RE-
PORT. 
(a) SURVEY.—The Director of the Defense Health 
Agency shall conduct a health-related behaviors survey 
among the members of the Armed Forces. 
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(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense 
Health Agency shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
a report containing the results of the survey under sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 754. REPORT ON COORDINATION, DATA SHARING, AND 
EVALUATION EFFORTS FOR SUICIDE PRE-
VENTION. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit to each con-
gressional committee with jurisdiction over the Depart-
ment of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 
the Department of Health and Human Services, a report 
on the coordination, data sharing, and evaluation efforts 
on suicide prevention across these departments. The re-
port shall include: 
(1) An overview of the functioning and core 
findings of the Interagency Task Force on Military 
and Veterans Mental Health since its creation in 
2012. 
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(2) An accounting of the funding each Depart-
ment has obligated towards suicide prevention re-
lated research. 
(3) An outline of methods of comparing pro-
grams and sharing best practices for suicide preven-
tion by each Department. 
(4) An outline of the work to actively develop 
and improve joint suicide prevention practices based 
on information compiled and shared by each Depart-
ment. 
(5) An outline of the plan each Department has 
to achieve greater government efficiency and cross- 
agency coordination, data sharing, and evaluation in 
Federal suicide prevention efforts, in line with Pri-
ority Goal 5 of the plan entitled, ‘‘Reducing Military 
and Veteran Suicide’’, published by the White House 
in November 2021. 
(6) Any other information the Secretary of De-
fense, Secretary of Health and Human Services, or 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to be 
appropriate. 
SEC. 755. GAO STUDY ON DOD AND VA MAMMOGRAM AND 
BREAST CANCER SCREENING POLICIES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a review, beginning not later than 90 
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days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to exam-
ine and determine whether current Department of Defense 
and Department of Veterans Affairs policies allow individ-
uals with dense breast, regardless of age, with no-cost or 
low-cost access through their health programs to all the 
screening and diagnostic tools needed to confirm breast 
cancer, including when standard mammograms are incon-
clusive or ineffective in doing so. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall— 
(1) examine the utilization of existing screening 
and diagnosis tools by participants in health pro-
grams administered by the Department of Defense 
and Department of Veterans Affairs, disaggregated 
by demographic characteristics; 
(2) identify and examine barriers to greater ac-
cess to such tools in each such agency, including 
whether cost prevents individuals from receiving ad-
ditional breast cancer diagnostic or screening exams 
that may confirm the presence of breast cancer; 
(3) make recommendations on how each such 
agency can improve policies to best address the 
unique challenges identifying breast cancer in those 
with dense breasts; 
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(4) analyze how well such agencies’ policies re-
garding breast cancer screening and diagnoses for 
those with dense breast align with coverage under 
other Federal health care programs such as Med-
icaid, Medicare, coverage on the Affordable Care Act 
health care marketplace, and the recommendations 
of the United States Preventive Services Task 
Force; 
(5) identify the most recent time that relevant 
policies were updated by each such agency and how 
often they are currently reviewed or updated; 
(6) analyze how well existing policies reflect or 
include the best available science on helping women 
with dense breast receive accurate diagnosis regard-
ing the presence or absence of cancer; and 
(7) identify any efforts by each such agency to 
educate health care providers who provide cancer 
screening, treatment, or diagnosis services and pa-
tients receiving such services on the limitations of 
mammograms in confirming breast cancer for those 
with dense breasts. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study pursu-
ant to subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consult 
with breast cancer patients or their advocates receiving 
care through the health care systems of the Department 
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of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, health 
care providers supporting breast cancer care or organiza-
tions representing such providers, other Federal agencies, 
and other stakeholders, as appropriate. 
(d) STUDY.—Not later than September 30, 2024, the 
Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report 
on the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) con-
taining a description of the study and any findings and 
conclusions of the study. 
SEC. 756. STUDY AND REPORT ON RATE OF CANCER-RE-
LATED MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
conduct, or enter into a contract with an appropriate fed-
erally funded research and development center to conduct, 
a study to assess whether individuals (including individ-
uals on active duty or in a reserve component or the Na-
tional Guard) assigned to the Pease Air Force Base and 
Pease Air National Guard Base for a significant period 
of time during the period of 1970 through 2020 experience 
a higher-than-expected rate of cancer-related morbidity 
and mortality as a result of time on base or exposures 
associated with time on base compared to the rate of can-
cer-related morbidity and mortality of the general popu-
lation of the United States, accounting for differences in 
sex, age, and race. 
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(b) COMPLETION; REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall provide for— 
(1) the completion of the study under sub-
section (a); and 
(2) the submission of a report on the results of 
the study to the Committees on Armed Services of 
the Senate and House of Representatives. 
(c) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘signifi-
cant period of time’’ shall be defined by the Secretary of 
Defense or by the entity conducting the study under sub-
section (a), as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
SEC. 757. GAO STUDY ON ACCESS TO EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY 
MEMBER PROGRAM AND EXTENDED CARE 
HEALTH OPTION PROGRAM BY MEMBERS OF 
RESERVE COMPONENTS. 
(a) STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall— 
(1) conduct a study to determine the barriers to 
members of the reserve components accessing the 
Extended Care Health Option program and the Ex-
ceptional Family Member program of the Depart-
ment of Defense; and 
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(2) submit to the Secretary of Defense and the 
congressional defense committees a report containing 
the findings of such study. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a)(2) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the methodology used by 
the Department of Defense to disseminate informa-
tion regarding the eligibility of members of the re-
serve components for the Extended Care Health Op-
tion program and the Exceptional Family Member 
program upon such members commencing the per-
formance of Active Guard and Reserve duty. 
(2) An identification of the timeline of the en-
rollment process for members of the reserve compo-
nents in such programs and any effects of delayed 
enrollment, such as exclusion from benefits or re-
sources. 
(3) An identification of impediments to enroll-
ment in such programs among such members, in-
cluding an assessment of the following: 
(A) The availability of resources under 
such programs, including specialist providers 
under the Exceptional Family Member pro-
gram, at the time of enrollment in such pro-
grams. 
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(B) The availability of support under such 
programs at facilities of the reserve compo-
nents. 
(C) Any misinformation provided to service 
members seeking enrollment. 
(4) With respect to the Exceptional Family 
Member program— 
(A) an identification of the number of fam-
ilies with a family member eligible to enroll in 
such program, disaggregated by whether the 
member of the reserve component in such fam-
ily is performing Active Guard and Reserve 
duty; 
(B) an assessment of the effects of navi-
gating the process of enrollment in such pro-
gram on the mission to which the member is as-
signed while performing Active Guard and Re-
serve duty; and 
(C) an identification of the number of spe-
cialist providers and staff who support reserve 
component members through such program. 
(5) Recommendations on improving the dis-
semination of information regarding the eligibility of 
members of the reserve components for the Ex-
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tended Care Health Option program and the Excep-
tional Family Member program. 
(6) Recommendations on improvements to such 
programs with respect to the reserve components. 
(c) ACTIVE GUARD AND RESERVE DEFINED.—The 
term ‘‘Active Guard and Reserve’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 101(b) of title 10, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 758. KYLE MULLEN NAVAL SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS. 
The Secretary of Defense, or his designee to Naval 
Special Warfare Command, shall conduct an appraisal of 
and provide recommended policies for improved medical 
care and oversight of individuals in the Navy engaged in 
high-stress training environments, in an effort to ensure 
sailor safety and prevent related long-term injury, illness, 
and death. The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that 
such recommended polices are implemented to the full ex-
tent practicable and in a timely manner. 
SEC. 759. REPORT ON OPERATIONAL AND PHYSICAL AND 
MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF LOW RECRUIT-
MENT AND RETENTION TO ARMED FORCES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congres-
sional defense committees a report on the current oper-
ational tempo resulting from low recruitment to and reten-
tion in the Armed Forces and the resulting effects on the 
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physical and mental health of members of the Armed 
Forces. 
SEC. 759A. REPORT ON MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES OF 
FEMALE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report on how 
maternal mortality rates may disproportionately affect fe-
male members of the Armed Forces (as compared with 
female civilians). Such report shall include an identifica-
tion of any relevant barriers to the access of health care 
for such female members and any recommendations by the 
Secretary to improve such access and reduce such rates. 
SEC. 759B. REPORT ON DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY CON-
TRACTS. 
Not later than February 1, 2023, the Director of the 
Defense Health Agency shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and 
the Senate a report that includes, with respect to fiscal 
years 2020, 2021, and 2022— 
(1) the total number of contracts awarded by 
the Defense Health Agency during each such fiscal 
year; and 
(2) the number and percent of such contracts 
for each such fiscal year that were— 
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(A) protested and the protest was upheld; 
(B) standard professional services con-
tracts; 
(C) issued as a direct award; 
(D) in the case of the contracts described 
in subparagraph (C), exceeded $5 million in 
total value; and 
(E) awarded to the following: 
(i) Businesses eligible to enter into a 
contract under section 8(a) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)). 
(ii) Qualified HUBZone small busi-
ness concerns. 
(iii) Small business concerns owned 
and controlled by service-disabled veterans. 
(iv) Small business concerns owned 
and controlled by women (as defined in 
section 8(m)(1) of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 637(m)(1)). 
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Subtitle D—Other Matters 
SEC. 761. INCLUSION OF EXPOSURE TO PERFLUOROALKYL 
AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES AS 
COMPONENT OF PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESS-
MENTS. 
(a) PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT.—Each Sec-
retary concerned shall ensure that any periodic health as-
sessment provided to a member of the Armed Forces in-
cludes an evaluation of whether the member has been— 
(1) based or stationed at a military installation 
identified by the Secretary concerned as a location 
with a known or suspected release of perfluoroalkyl 
substances or polyfluoroalkyl substances during the 
period in which the member was based or stationed 
at the military installation; or 
(2) exposed to such substances, including by 
evaluating any information in the health record of 
the member. 
(b) SEPARATION HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINA-
TIONS.—Section 1145(a)(5) of title 10, United States 
Code is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that each 
physical examination of a member under subparagraph 
(A) includes an assessment of whether the member was— 
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(d) PROVISION OF BLOOD TESTING TO DETERMINE 
EXPOSURE
TO
PERFLUOROALKYL
SUBSTANCES
OR 
POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES.— 
(1) PROVISION OF BLOOD TESTING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If a covered evaluation 
of a member of the Armed Forces results in a 
positive determination of potential exposure to 
perfluoroalkyl substances or polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stances, the Secretary concerned shall provide 
to that member, during the covered evaluation, 
blood testing to determine and document poten-
tial exposure to such substances. 
(B) INCLUSION IN HEALTH RECORD.—The 
results of blood testing of a member of the 
Armed Forces conducted under subparagraph 
(A) shall be included in the health record of the 
member. 
(2) ANALYSIS OF BLOOD TESTING RESULTS.— 
(A) PLAN.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate a plan, consistent 
with 
Department 
of 
Defense 
Instruction 
6055.05 (or such successor instruction), to 
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track and analyze, including through the identi-
fication and analysis of trends, the results of 
blood testing results provided pursuant to the 
paragraph (1) or under section 707 of the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 
1441; 10 U.S.C. 1074m note). 
(B) ANNUAL
REPORTS.—Not later than 
two years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report containing a summary of the 
results of blood testing provided pursuant to 
paragraph (1), at a Department of Defense- 
wide level. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered evaluation’’ means— 
(A) a periodic health assessment conducted 
in accordance with subsection (a); 
(B) a separation history and physical ex-
amination conducted under section 1145(a)(5) 
of title 10, United States Code, as amended by 
subsection (b); or 
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(C) a deployment assessment conducted 
under section 1074f(b)(2) of such title, as 
amended by subsection (c). 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 762. MANDATORY TRAINING ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF 
PERFLUOROALKYL OR POLYFLUOROALKYL 
SUBSTANCES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall provide to each med-
ical provider of the Department of Defense mandatory 
training with respect to the potential health effects of 
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. 
SEC. 763. NON-MEDICAL COUNSELING SERVICES FOR MILI-
TARY FAMILIES. 
Section 1781 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(d) NON-MEDICAL COUNSELING SERVICES.—(1) In 
carrying out the duties of the Office under subsection (b), 
the Director of Military Family Readiness Policy may co-
ordinate programs and activities for the provision of non- 
medical counseling services to military families through 
the Military and Family Counseling Program. 
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‘‘(2) Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure 
or certification of mental health professionals, a mental 
health professional described in paragraph (3) may pro-
vide non-medical counseling services through the Military 
and Family Counseling Program at any location in a 
State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, terri-
tory or possession of the United States, without regard 
to where the provider or recipient of such services is lo-
cated or the mode of the delivery of such services, if the 
provision of such services is within the scope of the author-
ized Federal duties of the professional. 
‘‘(3) A mental health professional described in this 
paragraph is an individual who is— 
‘‘(A) a mental health professional who holds a 
current license or certification that is— 
‘‘(i) issued by a State, the District of Co-
lumbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or pos-
session of the United States; and 
‘‘(ii) recognized by the Secretary of De-
fense; 
‘‘(B) a member of the uniformed services, a ci-
vilian employee of the Department of Defense, or a 
contractor designated by the Secretary of Defense; 
and 
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‘‘(C) performing authorized duties for the De-
partment of Defense under a program or as part of 
an activity referred to in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘Military and Family Counseling 
Program’ means the Military and Family Counseling 
Program of the Department of Defense, or any suc-
cessor program. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘non-medical counseling services’ 
means mental health care services that— 
‘‘(A) are non-clinical, short-term, and solu-
tion-focused; and 
‘‘(B) address topics related to personal 
growth, 
development, 
and 
positive 
func-
tioning.’’. 
SEC. 764. CLARIFICATIONS RELATING TO ANALYSIS OF DE-
PARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMPREHENSIVE 
AUTISM DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM BY NA-
TIONAL ACADEMIES. 
(a) CLARIFICATIONS.—Section 737 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public 
Law 117–81; 135 Stat. 1800) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
‘‘broadly’’ after ‘‘disorder’’; 
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(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘pa-
rental involvement in applied behavior analysis 
treatment, and’’ after ‘‘including’’; 
(C) by amending subparagraph (D) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(D) A review of the health outcomes, in-
cluding mental health outcomes, for individuals 
who have received applied behavioral analysis 
treatments over time.’’; 
(D) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ‘‘, 
since the inception of such program,’’ after 
‘‘demonstration program’’; 
(E) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘ef-
fectiveness’’ and inserting ‘‘cost effectiveness, 
program effectiveness, and clinical effective-
ness’’; 
(F) in subparagraph (G), by inserting 
‘‘than in the general population’’ after ‘‘military 
families’’; 
(G) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as 
subparagraph (I); and 
(H) by inserting after subparagraph (G), 
as amended by subparagraph (F) of this para-
graph, the following new subparagraph: 
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‘‘(H) An analysis on whether the diagnosis 
and treatment of autism is more prevalent 
among the children of military families than in 
the general population.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘nine months’’ 
and inserting ‘‘two years and seven months’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— 
Such section is further amended by striking ‘‘demonstra-
tion project’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘dem-
onstration program’’. 
SEC. 765. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBER-
SHIP TO INDEPENDENT SUICIDE PREVEN-
TION AND RESPONSE REVIEW COMMITTEE. 
Section 738(b)(3) of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81; 135 
Stat. 1801) is amended by inserting ‘‘, unless the indi-
vidual is a retired member of the Armed Forces or a 
former civilian employee of the Department, or the indi-
vidual is hired for the purpose of serving on such com-
mittee’’ after ‘‘Department of Defense’’. 
SEC. 766. IMPROVEMENT TO WOUNDED WARRIOR SERVICE 
DOG PROGRAM. 
Section 745 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
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(134 Stat. 3710; Public Law 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as sub-
section (c); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(b) GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Wound-
ed Warrior Service Dog Program, the Secretary of 
Defense may award grants to nonprofit organiza-
tions to provide assistance dogs under such program. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATIONS.—An applicant for a grant 
under paragraph (1) shall submit an application at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Secretary determines. 
‘‘(3) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select 
nonprofit organizations that submit applications for 
the award of grants under the Wounded Warrior 
Service Dog Program using a competitive process. 
‘‘(4) CONSIDERATIONS FOR GRANT AMOUNT.— 
In determining the amount of a grant to award to 
a nonprofit organization selected under paragraph 
(3), the Secretary shall consider the following: 
‘‘(A) The merits of the application sub-
mitted by the nonprofit organization. 
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‘‘(B) Whether, and to what extent, there is 
demand by covered members or covered vet-
erans for assistance dogs provided by the non-
profit organization. 
‘‘(C) The capacity and capability of the 
nonprofit organization to raise and train assist-
ance dogs to meet such demand. 
‘‘(D) Such other factors as the Secretary 
may determine appropriate. 
‘‘(5) LIMITATION
ON
GRANT
AMOUNTS.—The 
amount of a grant awarded to a nonprofit organiza-
tion selected under paragraph (3) may not exceed 
$2,000,000.’’. 
SEC. 767. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL 
HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE UNDER MILITARY 
HEALTH SYSTEM. 
(a) EXPANSION OF CERTAIN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 
PROGRAMS AT THE UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY 
OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
GRADUATE
PRO-
GRAMS.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
graduate degree-granting programs in counseling 
and social work at the Uniformed Services Univer-
sity of the Health Sciences. 
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(2) EXPANSION
OF
CLINICAL
PSYCHOLOGY 
GRADUATE
PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall take such steps as may be necessary to expand 
the clinical psychology graduate program of the Uni-
formed Services University of the Health Sciences. 
(3) POST-AWARD EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATION.— 
(A) AGREEMENT WITH SECRETARY.—Sub-
ject to subparagraph (B), as a condition of en-
rolling in a degree-granting program in clinical 
psychology, social work, or counseling at the 
Uniformed Services University of the Health 
Sciences, a civilian student shall enter into an 
agreement with the Secretary of Defense pursu-
ant to which the student agrees that, if the stu-
dent does not become a member of a uniformed 
service upon graduating such program, the stu-
dent shall work on a full-time basis as a covered 
civilian behavioral health provider for a period 
of a duration that is at least equivalent to the 
period during which the student was enrolled in 
such program. 
(B) OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—An 
agreement entered into pursuant to subpara-
graph (A) may include such other terms and 
conditions as the Secretary of Defense may de-
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termine necessary to protect the interests of the 
United States or otherwise appropriate for pur-
poses of this section, including terms and condi-
tions providing for limited exceptions from the 
employment obligation specified in such sub-
paragraph. 
(C) REPAYMENT.—A civilian graduate who 
does not complete the employment obligation 
required under the agreement entered into pur-
suant to subparagraph (A) shall repay to the 
Secretary of Defense a prorated portion of the 
student’s costs of attendance in the program 
described in such paragraph. The amount of 
such prorated portion shall be determined by 
the Secretary. 
(D) APPLICABILITY.—This subsection shall 
apply to civilian students who enroll in the first 
year of a degree-granting program in clinical 
psychology, social work, or counseling at the 
Uniformed Services University of the Health 
Sciences on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(4) IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit to the congressional de-
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fense committees a plan for the implementation of 
this subsection. Such plan shall include— 
(A) a determination as to the resources for 
personnel and facilities required for such imple-
mentation; 
(B) estimated timelines for such implemen-
tation; and 
(C) a projection of the number of grad-
uates from the programs specified in paragraph 
(1) upon the completion of such implementa-
tion. 
(b) SCHOLARSHIP-FOR-SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CI-
VILIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Beginning not later than 
two years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pro-
gram under which— 
(A) the Secretary may provide— 
(i) direct grants to cover tuition, fees, 
living expenses, and other costs of attend-
ance at an institution of higher education 
to an individual enrolled in a program of 
study leading to a graduate degree in clin-
ical psychology, social work, counseling, or 
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a related field (as determined by the Sec-
retary); and 
(ii) student loan repayment assistance 
to a credentialed behavioral health provider 
who has a graduate degree in clinical psy-
chology, social work, counseling, or a re-
lated field (as determined by the Sec-
retary); and 
(B) in exchange for such assistance, the 
recipient shall commit to work as a covered ci-
vilian behavioral health provider in accordance 
with paragraph (2). 
(2) 
POST-AWARD
EMPLOYMENT
OBLIGA-
TIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), as a condition of receiving assistance 
under paragraph (1), the recipient of such as-
sistance shall enter into an agreement with the 
Secretary of Defense pursuant to which the re-
cipient agrees to work on a full-time basis as a 
covered civilian behavioral health provider for a 
period of a duration that is at least equivalent 
to the period during which the recipient re-
ceived assistance under such paragraph. 
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(B) OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—An 
agreement entered into pursuant to subpara-
graph (A) may include such other terms and 
conditions as the Secretary of Defense may de-
termine necessary to protect the interests of the 
United States or otherwise appropriate for pur-
poses of this section, including terms and condi-
tions providing for limited exceptions from the 
post-award employment obligation specified in 
such subparagraph. 
(3) REPAYMENT.—An individual who receives 
assistance under paragraph (1) and does not com-
plete the employment obligation required under the 
agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (2) 
shall repay to the Secretary of Defense a prorated 
portion of the financial assistance received by the in-
dividual under paragraph (1). The amount of such 
prorated portion shall be determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(4) IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the con-
gressional defense committees a plan for the imple-
mentation of this subsection. Such plan shall in-
clude— 
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(A) a determination as to the resources re-
quired for such implementation; 
(B) estimated timelines for such implemen-
tation; and 
(C) a projection of the number of recipi-
ents of assistance under paragraph (1) upon 
the completion of such implementation. 
(c) REPORT
ON
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH
WORK-
FORCE.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall conduct an analysis of the behavioral 
health workforce under the direct care component of 
the TRICARE program and submit to the congres-
sional defense committees a report containing the re-
sults of such analysis. Such report shall include, 
with respect to such workforce, the following: 
(A) The number of positions authorized for 
military behavioral health providers within such 
workforce, and the number of such positions 
filled, disaggregated by the professions de-
scribed in paragraph (2). 
(B) The number of positions authorized for 
civilian behavioral health providers within such 
workforce, and the number of such positions 
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filled, disaggregated by the professions de-
scribed in paragraph (2). 
(C) For each military department, the 
ratio of military behavioral health providers as-
signed to military medical treatment facilities 
compared to civilian behavioral health providers 
so assigned, disaggregated by the professions 
described in paragraph (2). 
(D) For each military department, the 
number of military behavioral health providers 
authorized to be embedded within an oper-
ational unit, and the number of such positions 
filled, disaggregated by the professions de-
scribed in paragraph (2). 
(E) Data on the historical demand for be-
havioral health services by members of the 
Armed Forces. 
(F) An estimate of the number of health 
care providers necessary to meet the demand by 
such members for behavioral health care serv-
ices under the direct care component of the 
TRICARE program, disaggregated by provider 
type. 
(G) An identification of any shortfall be-
tween the estimated number under subpara-
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graph (F) and the total number of positions for 
behavioral health providers filled within such 
workforce. 
(H) Such other information as the Sec-
retary may determine appropriate. 
(2) PROVIDER
TYPES.—The professions de-
scribed in this paragraph are as follows: 
(A) Clinical psychologists. 
(B) Social workers. 
(C) Counselors. 
(D) Such other professions as the Sec-
retary may determine appropriate. 
(3) BEHAVIORAL WORKFORCE AT REMOTE LO-
CATIONS.—In conducting the analysis of the behav-
ioral health workforce under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary of Defense shall ensure such behavioral health 
workforce at remote locations (including Guam and 
Hawaii) and any shortfalls thereof, is taken into ac-
count. 
(d) PLAN TO ADDRESS SHORTFALLS IN BEHAVIORAL 
HEALTH WORKFORCE.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the congressional defense committees a plan to ad-
dress any shortfall of the behavioral health workforce iden-
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tified under subsection (c)(1)(G). Such plan shall address 
the following: 
(1) With respect to any such shortfall of mili-
tary behavioral health providers (addressed sepa-
rately with respect to such providers assigned to 
military medical treatment facilities and such pro-
viders assigned to be embedded within operational 
units), the recruitment, accession, retention, special 
pay and other aspects of compensation, workload, 
role of the Uniformed Services University of the 
Health Sciences and the Armed Forces Health Pro-
fessions Scholarship Program under chapter 105 of 
title 10, United States Code, any additional authori-
ties or resources necessary for the Secretary to in-
crease the number of such providers, and such other 
considerations as the Secretary may consider appro-
priate. 
(2) With respect to addressing any such short-
fall of civilian behavioral health providers, the re-
cruitment, hiring, retention, pay and benefits, work-
load, educational scholarship programs, any addi-
tional authorities or resources necessary for the Sec-
retary to increase the number of such providers, and 
such other considerations as the Secretary may con-
sider appropriate. 
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