204 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(ii) providing information on em-
ployment opportunities; 
‘‘(iii) helping eligible individuals deal 
with the challenges of reintegration; 
‘‘(iv) ensuring that eligible individuals 
understand what benefits they are entitled 
to and what resources are available to help 
them overcome the challenges of reintegra-
tion; and 
‘‘(v) providing a forum for addressing 
negative behaviors related to operational 
stress and reintegration. 
‘‘(3) MEMBER PAY.—Members shall receive ap-
propriate pay for days spent attending such events 
and activities. 
‘‘(4) MINIMUM NUMBER OF EVENTS AND ACTIVI-
TIES.—State National Guard and Reserve organiza-
tions shall provide to eligible individuals— 
‘‘(A) one event or activity before a period of 
activation, mobilization, or deployment; 
‘‘(B) one event or activity during a period 
of activation, mobilization, or deployment; and 
‘‘(C) two events or activities after a period 
of activation, mobilization, or deployment.’’.
205 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Such section is 
further amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘through-
out the entire deployment cycle’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in the subsection heading, by strik-
ing ‘‘; DEPLOYMENT CYCLE’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘well-being through the 
4 phases’’ through the end of the subsection 
and inserting ‘‘well-being.’’; 
(C) in subsection (d)(2)(C), by striking 
‘‘throughout the deployment cycle described in 
subsection (g)’’; and 
(D) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘STATE 
DEPLOYMENT CYCLE’’ in the subsection heading. 
(h) ADDITIONAL PERMITTED OUTREACH SERVICE.— 
Subsection (h) of such section is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(16) Stress management and positive coping 
skills.’’. 
(i) SUPPORT OF DEPARTMENT-WIDE SUICIDE PRE-
VENTION EFFORTS.—Such section is further amended by 
inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) SUPPORT OF SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS.— 
The Office for Reintegration Programs shall assist the De-
206 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
fense Suicide Prevention Office and the Defense Centers of 
Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain 
Injury to collect and analyze information, suggestions, and 
best practices from State National Guard and Reserve orga-
nizations with respect to suicide prevention and community 
response programs.’’. 
(j) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Such section is further 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking ‘‘Sub-
stance Abuse and the Mental Health Services Admin-
istration’’ and inserting ‘‘Substance Abuse and Men-
tal Health Services Administration’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)(3)(C), by striking ‘‘Office of 
Reintegration Programs’’ and inserting ‘‘Office for 
Reintegration Programs’’. 
SEC. 589. PRIORITY PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR 
TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION 
CREDENTIALS FOR MEMBERS UNDERGOING 
DISCHARGE OR RELEASE FROM THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) PRIORITY PROCESSING.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
afford a priority in the processing of applications for a 
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to 
applications submitted by members of the Armed Forces
207 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
who are undergoing separation, discharge, or release from 
the Armed Forces under honorable conditions, with such 
priority to provide for the review and adjudication of such 
an application by not later than 14 days after submittal, 
unless an appeal or waiver applies or further application 
documentation is necessary. The priority shall be so af-
forded commencing not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act to members who undergo sepa-
ration, discharge, or release from the Armed Forces after 
the date on which the priority so commences being afforded. 
(b) MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING.—The Sec-
retary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall enter into a memorandum of understanding in con-
nection with achieving the requirement in subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report on the implementation 
of the requirements of this section. The report shall set forth 
the following: 
(1) The memorandum of understanding required 
pursuant to subsection (b). 
(2) A description of the number of individuals 
who applied for, and the number of individuals who
208 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
have been issued, a Transportation Worker Identifica-
tion Credential pursuant to the memorandum of un-
derstanding as of the date of the report. 
(3) If any applications for a Transportation 
Worker Identification Credential covered by para-
graph (2) were not reviewed and adjudicated within 
the deadline specified in subsection (a), a description 
of the reasons for the failure and of the actions being 
taken to assure that future applications for a Creden-
tial are reviewed and adjudicated within the dead-
line. 
SEC. 590. ISSUANCE OF RECOGNITION OF SERVICE ID 
CARDS TO CERTAIN MEMBERS SEPARATING 
FROM THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ISSUANCE REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
issue to each covered individual a card that identifies 
such individual as a veteran and includes a photo of 
the individual and the name of the individual. 
(2) DESIGNATION.—A card issued under para-
graph (1) may be known as a ‘‘Recognition of Service 
ID Card’’. 
(b) COVERED INDIVIDUALS.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, a ‘‘covered individual’’ is an individual who is under-
going discharge or release from the Armed Forces (other
212 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 592. INCREASE IN NUMBER OF DAYS OF ACTIVE DUTY 
REQUIRED TO BE PERFORMED BY RESERVE 
COMPONENT MEMBERS FOR DUTY TO BE 
CONSIDERED FEDERAL SERVICE FOR PUR-
POSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION 
FOR EX-SERVICEMEMBERS. 
(a) INCREASE
OF
NUMBER
OF
DAYS.—Section 
8521(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘90 days’’ in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) and inserting ‘‘180 days’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and shall apply with respect to periods of Fed-
eral service commencing on or after that date. 
SEC. 593. IMPROVED ENUMERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES IN ANY TABULATION OF 
TOTAL POPULATION BY SECRETARY OF COM-
MERCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 141 of title 13, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
(h); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: 
‘‘(g) Effective beginning with the 2020 decennial cen-
sus of population, in taking any tabulation of total popu-
lation by States, the Secretary shall take appropriate meas-
213 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
ures to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all 
members of the Armed Forces deployed abroad on the date 
of taking such tabulation are— 
‘‘(1) fully and accurately counted; and 
‘‘(2) properly attributed to the State in which 
their permanent duty station or homeport is located 
on such date.’’. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall not be construed to affect the residency sta-
tus of any member of the Armed Forces under any provision 
of law other than title 13, United States Code. 
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND 
OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Pay and Allowances 
SEC. 601. FISCAL YEAR 2016 INCREASE IN MILITARY BASIC 
PAY. 
(a) WAIVER OF SECTION 1009 ADJUSTMENT.—The ad-
justment to become effective during fiscal year 2016 re-
quired by section 1009 of title 37, United States Code, in 
the rates of monthly basic pay authorized members of the 
uniformed services shall not be made. 
(b) INCREASE IN BASIC PAY.—Effective on January 
1, 2016, the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the 
uniformed services are increased by 1.3 percent for enlisted
214 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
member pay grades, warrant officer pay grades, and com-
missioned officer pay grades below pay grade O–7. 
(c) APPLICATION OF EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE LEVEL II 
CEILING ON PAYABLE RATES FOR GENERAL AND FLAG OF-
FICERS.—Section 203(a)(2) of title 37, United States Code, 
shall be applied for rates of basic pay payable for commis-
sioned officers in pay grades O–7 through O–10 during cal-
endar year 2016 by using the rate of pay for level II of 
the Executive Schedule in effect during 2014. 
SEC. 602. MODIFICATION OF PERCENTAGE OF NATIONAL 
AVERAGE MONTHLY COST OF HOUSING USA-
BLE IN COMPUTATION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE 
FOR HOUSING INSIDE THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) MODIFICATION OF PERCENTAGE USABLE.—Sec-
tion 403(b)(3)(B) of title 37, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘one percent’’ and inserting ‘‘five percent’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2016, and shall 
apply with respect to computations of monthly amounts of 
basic allowance for housing inside the United States that 
occur for years beginning on or after that date.
215 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 603. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TEM-
PORARY INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC AL-
LOWANCE FOR HOUSING. 
Section 403(b)(7)(E) of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 
SEC. 604. BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING FOR MARRIED 
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES AS-
SIGNED FOR DUTY WITHIN NORMAL COM-
MUTING DISTANCE AND FOR OTHER MEM-
BERS LIVING TOGETHER. 
(a) BAH FOR MARRIED MEMBERS ASSIGNED FOR 
DUTY WITHIN NORMAL COMMUTING DISTANCE.—Section 
403 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(p) SINGLE ALLOWANCE FOR MARRIED MEMBERS 
ASSIGNED FOR DUTY WITHIN NORMAL COMMUTING DIS-
TANCE.—In the event two members of the uniformed services 
entitled to receive a basic allowance for housing under this 
section are married to one another and are each assigned 
for duty within normal commuting distance, basic allow-
ance for housing under this section shall be paid only to 
the member having the higher pay grade, or to the member 
having rank in grade if both members have the same pay 
grade, and at the rate payable for a member of such pay
216 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
grade with dependents (regardless of whether or not such 
members have dependents).’’. 
(b) BAH FOR OTHER MEMBERS LIVING TOGETHER.— 
Such section is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(q) REDUCED ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS LIVING 
TOGETHER.—(1) In the event two or more members of the 
uniformed services who are entitled to receive a basic allow-
ance for housing under this section live together, basic al-
lowance for housing under this section shall be paid to each 
such member at the rate as follows: 
‘‘(A) In the case of such a member in a pay 
grade below pay grade E–4, the rate otherwise pay-
able to such member under this section. 
‘‘(B) In the case of such a member in a pay 
grade above pay grade E–3, the rate equal to the 
greater of— 
‘‘(i) 75 percent of the rate otherwise payable 
to such member under this section; or 
‘‘(ii) the rate payable for a member in pay 
grade E–4 without dependents. 
‘‘(2) This subsection does not apply to members covered 
by subsection (p).’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—
217 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2015, and 
shall, except as provided in paragraph (2), apply 
with respect to allowances for basic housing payable 
for months beginning on or after that date. 
(2) PRESERVATION OF CURRENT BAH FOR MEM-
BERS WITH UNINTERRUPTED ELIGIBILITY FOR BAH.— 
Notwithstanding any amendment made by this sec-
tion, the monthly amount of basic allowance for hous-
ing payable to a member of the uniformed services 
under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, as 
of September 30, 2015, shall not be reduced by reason 
of such amendment so long as the member retains un-
interrupted eligibility for such basic allowance for 
housing within an area of the United States or with-
in an overseas location (as applicable). 
(3) PRESERVATION OF CURRENT BAH FOR CER-
TAIN
OTHER
MARRIED
MEMBERS.—Notwithstanding 
paragraph (1), the amount of basic allowance for 
housing payable to a member of the uniformed serv-
ices under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, 
as of September 30, 2015, shall not be reduced by rea-
son of the amendment made by subsection (a) un-
less—
218 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(A) the member and the member’s spouse 
undergo a permanent change of station requiring 
a change of residence; 
(B) the member and the member’s spouse 
move into or commence living in on-base hous-
ing; 
SEC. 605. REPEAL OF INAPPLICABILITY OF MODIFICATION 
OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING TO BEN-
EFITS UNDER THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY 
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subsection (b) of section 604 of the Carl 
Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113– 
291) is repealed. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2016. 
SEC. 606. LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL 
SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES TO MEMBERS 
SERVING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND 
ASSOCIATED TERRITORY. 
Section 402a(b) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘and para-
graph (4)’’ after ‘‘subsection (d)’’; and
219 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(4) After September 30, 2016, a member is eligible 
for a supplemental subsistence allowance under this section 
only if the member is serving outside the United States, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
Islands, or Guam.’’. 
SEC. 607. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION. 
In administering the supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall ensure that any safeguards that prevent the use or dis-
closure of information obtained from applicant households 
shall not prevent the use of that information by, or the dis-
closure of that information to, the Secretary of Defense for 
purposes of determining the number of applicant households 
that contain one or more members of a regular component 
or reserve component of the Armed Forces.
220 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
Subtitle B—Bonuses and Special 
and Incentive Pays 
SEC. 611. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BONUS AND 
SPECIAL PAY AUTHORITIES FOR RESERVE 
FORCES. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, 
are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 308b(g), relating to Selected Reserve 
reenlistment bonus. 
(2) Section 308c(i), relating to Selected Reserve 
affiliation or enlistment bonus. 
(3) Section 308d(c), relating to special pay for 
enlisted members assigned to certain high-priority 
units. 
(4) Section 308g(f)(2), relating to Ready Reserve 
enlistment bonus for persons without prior service. 
(5) Section 308h(e), relating to Ready Reserve 
enlistment and reenlistment bonus for persons with 
prior service. 
(6) Section 308i(f), relating to Selected Reserve 
enlistment and reenlistment bonus for persons with 
prior service.
221 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(7) Section 478a(e), relating to reimbursement of 
travel expenses for inactive-duty training outside of 
normal commuting distance. 
(8) Section 910(g), relating to income replace-
ment payments for reserve component members expe-
riencing extended and frequent mobilization for active 
duty service. 
SEC. 612. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BONUS AND 
SPECIAL PAY AUTHORITIES FOR HEALTH 
CARE PROFESSIONALS. 
(a) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES.—The following sections 
of title 10, United States Code, are amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer 
candidate accession program. 
(2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of 
education loans for certain health professionals who 
serve in the Selected Reserve. 
(b) TITLE 37 AUTHORITIES.—The following sections of 
title 37, United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘De-
cember 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 302c–1(f), relating to accession and 
retention bonuses for psychologists. 
(2) Section 302d(a)(1), relating to accession 
bonus for registered nurses.
222 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(3) Section 302e(a)(1), relating to incentive spe-
cial pay for nurse anesthetists. 
(4) Section 302g(e), relating to special pay for 
Selected Reserve health professionals in critically 
short wartime specialties. 
(5) Section 302h(a)(1), relating to accession 
bonus for dental officers. 
(6) Section 302j(a), relating to accession bonus 
for pharmacy officers. 
(7) Section 302k(f), relating to accession bonus 
for medical officers in critically short wartime spe-
cialties. 
(8) Section 302l(g), relating to accession bonus 
for dental specialist officers in critically short war-
time specialties. 
SEC. 613. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF SPECIAL PAY AND 
BONUS AUTHORITIES FOR NUCLEAR OFFI-
CERS. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, 
are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 312(f), relating to special pay for 
nuclear-qualified officers extending period of active 
service.
223 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) Section 312b(c), relating to nuclear career 
accession bonus. 
(3) Section 312c(d), relating to nuclear career 
annual incentive bonus. 
SEC. 614. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES RELAT-
ING TO TITLE 37 CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL 
PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AUTHORI-
TIES. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, 
are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus au-
thority for enlisted members. 
(2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus au-
thority for officers. 
(3) Section 333(i), relating to special bonus and 
incentive pay authorities for nuclear officers. 
(4) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation 
incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers. 
(5) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and 
incentive pay authorities for officers in health profes-
sions. 
(6) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus 
for cadets and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Re-
serve Officers’ Training Corps.
224 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(7) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty 
pay. 
(8) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or 
special duty pay. 
(9) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay 
or proficiency bonus. 
(10) Section 355(h), relating to retention incen-
tives for members qualified in critical military skills 
or assigned to high priority units. 
SEC. 615. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES RELAT-
ING TO PAYMENT OF OTHER TITLE 37 BO-
NUSES AND SPECIAL PAYS. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, 
are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 301b(a), relating to aviation officer 
retention bonus. 
(2) Section 307a(g), relating to assignment in-
centive pay. 
(3) Section 308(g), relating to reenlistment 
bonus for active members. 
(4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus. 
(5) Section 316a(g), relating to incentive pay for 
members of precommissioning programs pursuing for-
eign language proficiency.
225 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus 
for new officers in critical skills. 
(7) Section 326(g), relating to incentive bonus 
for conversion to military occupational specialty to 
ease personnel shortage. 
(8) Section 327(h), relating to incentive bonus 
for transfer between Armed Forces. 
(9) Section 330(f), relating to accession bonus for 
officer candidates. 
SEC. 616. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM ANNUAL AMOUNT OF NU-
CLEAR OFFICER BONUS PAY. 
(a) INCREASE.—Section 333(d)(1)(A) of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$50,000’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2016, and shall 
apply with respect to agreements entered into under section 
333 of title 37, United States Code, on or after that date. 
SEC. 617. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE AUTHORITY TO PAY BONUS 
TO ENCOURAGE ARMY PERSONNEL TO REFER 
PERSONS FOR ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMY. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 3252 of title 10, United States 
Code, is repealed.
226 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 333 of such title is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 3252. 
Subtitle C—Travel and 
Transportation Allowances 
SEC. 621. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE SPECIAL TRAVEL AND 
TRANSPORTATION 
ALLOWANCE 
FOR 
SUR-
VIVORS OF DECEASED MEMBERS FROM THE 
VIETNAM CONFLICT. 
Section 481f of title 37, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking subsection (d). 
SEC. 622. STUDY AND REPORT ON POLICY CHANGES TO THE 
JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on the impact of the policy 
changes to the Joint Travel Regulations for the Uniformed 
Service Members and Department of Defense Civilian Em-
ployees related to flat rate per diem for long term tem-
porary duty travel that took effect on November 1, 2014. 
The study shall assess the following: 
(1) The impact of such changes on shipyard 
workers who travel on long-term temporary duty as-
signments. 
(2) Whether such changes have discouraged em-
ployees of the Department of Defense, including civil-
227 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
ian employees at shipyards and depots, from volun-
teering for important temporary duty travel assign-
ments. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than June 1, 2016, the Comp-
troller General shall submit to the Committee on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives a report on the study 
required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 623. TRANSPORTATION TO TRANSFER CEREMONIES 
FOR FAMILY AND NEXT OF KIN OF MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO DIE OVERSEAS 
DURING HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS. 
Section 481f(e)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘(including during a humanitarian 
relief operation)’’ after ‘‘located or serving overseas’’. 
SEC. 624. POLICIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ON 
TRAVEL OF NEXT OF KIN TO PARTICIPATE IN 
THE DIGNIFIED TRANSFER OF REMAINS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND CIVIL-
IAN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE WHO DIE OVERSEAS. 
(a) REVIEW OF POLICIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
carry out a review of the current policies of the De-
partment of Defense on the travel for next of kin to
228 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
participate in the dignified transfer of remains of 
members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees 
of the Department who die overseas. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review required by this 
subsection shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the changes to Depart-
ment instructions and Federal regulations nec-
essary to provide Government funded travel to 
the next of kin to participate in the dignified 
transfer of remains of members of the Armed 
Forces and civilian employees of the Department 
who die overseas, regardless whether the death oc-
curred in a combat area or a non-combat area. 
(B) An action plan and timeline for mak-
ing the changes described in subparagraph (A). 
(b) MODIFICATION OF POLICIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), not later than February 1, 2016, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall take appropriate actions to 
modify the policies of the Department in order to pro-
vide Government funded travel for the next of kin to 
participate in the dignified transfer of remains of 
members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees 
of the Department of Defense who die overseas, re-
229 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
gardless whether the death occurs in a combat area or 
a non-combat area. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary is not required 
to modify the policies of the Department as described 
in paragraph (1) if, by not later than March, 1, 2016, 
the Secretary certifies, in writing, to the congressional 
defense committees that such action is not in the best 
interest of the United States. The certification shall 
include the following: 
(A) An assessment and reevaluation by the 
Secretary of the rational for excluding the next 
of kin from Government funded travel if the 
death of a member of the Armed Forces or civil-
ian employee of the Department overseas occurs 
in a non-combat area. 
(B) Recommendations for alternative plans 
to ensure that the next of kin of members of the 
Armed Forces and civilian employees of the De-
partment who die overseas in a non-combat area 
may participate in the dignified transfer of the 
remains of the deceased at Dover Port Mortuary, 
including through the actions of appropriate 
non-governmental organizations.
230 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
Subtitle D—Disability Pay, Retired 
Pay, and Survivor Benefits 
PART I—RETIRED PAY REFORM 
SEC. 631. THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN PARTICIPATION FOR MEM-
BERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) MODERNIZED
RETIREMENT
SYSTEM.—Section 
8440e of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking 
subsection (e) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(1) TSP CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall make contributions to the Thrift Savings 
Fund, in accordance with section 8432, except to the 
extent the requirements under such section are modi-
fied by this subsection, for the benefit of a member 
who— 
‘‘(A) first enters a uniformed service on or 
after January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(B) makes an election described in section 
1409(b)(4)(B) or 12739(f) of title 10. 
‘‘(2) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount contrib-
uted under this subsection by the Secretary concerned 
for the benefit of a member described in paragraph 
(1) for any pay period shall be not more than 5 per-
cent of such member’s basic pay for such pay period.
231 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(3) TIMING
AND
DURATION
OF
CONTRIBU-
TIONS.— 
‘‘(A) 
AUTOMATIC
CONTRIBUTIONS.—The 
Secretary concerned shall make a contribution 
described in section 8432(c)(1) under this sub-
section for the benefit of a member described in 
paragraph (1) for any pay period during the pe-
riod that— 
‘‘(i) begins on or after the day that is 
60 days after the date the member first en-
ters a uniformed service; and 
‘‘(ii) ends on the day such member 
completes 20 years of service as a member 
of the uniformed services. 
‘‘(B) MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Sec-
retary concerned shall make a contribution de-
scribed in section 8432(c)(2) under this sub-
section for the benefit of a member described in 
paragraph (1) for any pay period during the pe-
riod that— 
‘‘(i) begins on or after the day that is 
2 years and 1 day after the date the mem-
ber first enters a uniformed service; and
232 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(ii) ends on the day such member 
completes 20 years of service as a member 
of the uniformed services. 
‘‘(4) PROTECTIONS FOR SPOUSES AND FORMER 
SPOUSES.—Section 8435 shall apply to a member de-
scribed in paragraph (1) in the same manner as such 
section is applied to an employee or Member under 
such section. 
‘‘(5) DEFINITION OF SECRETARY CONCERNED.— 
In this subsection the term ‘Secretary concerned’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 
37.’’. 
(b) AUTOMATIC
ENROLLMENT
IN
TSP.—Section 
8432(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D)(ii)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(ii) Members’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘(ii)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), 
members’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) A member described in section 8440e(e)(1) shall 
be an eligible individual for purposes of this paragraph.’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
paragraph, a member described in section 8440e(e)(1) who
233 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
has declined automatic enrollment into the Thrift Savings 
Plan shall be automatically reenrolled, on January 1 of the 
year succeeding the year for which the determination is 
made, to make contributions under subsection (a) at the de-
fault percentage of basic pay. 
‘‘(G) In this paragraph the term ‘member’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 211 of title 37.’’. 
(c) VESTING.—Section 8432(g) of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking 
‘‘or’’ after the semicolon; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
period and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) 2 years of service in the case of a member 
of the uniformed services.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) For purposes of this subsection, a member of the 
uniformed services shall be considered to have separated 
from Government employment if the member is discharged 
or released from service in the uniformed services.’’. 
(d) THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN DEFAULT INVESTMENT 
FUND.—Section 8438(c)(2) of title 5, United States Code,
234 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
as amended by section 2(a) of the Smarter Savings Act 
(Public Law 113–255), is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘(A) Con-
sistent with the requirements of subparagraph (B), if 
an’’ and inserting ‘‘If an’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B). 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 211 of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (d); and 
(B) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (d). 
(2) Section 8432b(c)(2)(B) of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘(including pur-
suant to an agreement under section 211(d) of title 
37)’’. 
(f) ACTIONS TO ASSURE IMPLEMENTATION BY EFFEC-
TIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries concerned, the 
Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and 
the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board shall 
each and jointly take appropriate actions to ensure 
the full and effective commencement of the implemen-
tation of the amendments made by this section as of 
January 1, 2018.
235 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) SECRETARY CONCERNED DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of title 37, 
United States Code. 
(g) EFFECTIVE DATES.— 
(1) MODERNIZED
RETIREMENT
SYSTEM.—The 
amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect 
on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) OTHER
AMENDMENTS.—The amendments 
made by subsections (b) through (e) shall take effect 
on January 1, 2018. 
SEC. 632. MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEM-
BERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1409(b) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) REDUCED MULTIPLIERS FOR MEMBERS 
RECEIVING
TSP
MATCHING
CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), in 
the case of a member who first becomes a member 
of the uniformed services after January 1, 2018, 
or a member who makes the election described in 
subparagraph (B)—
236 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(i) subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
(1) shall be applied by substituting ‘2’ for 
‘21⁄2’’; 
‘‘(ii) clause (i) of paragraph (3)(B) 
shall be applied by substituting ‘60 percent’ 
for ‘75 percent’; and 
‘‘(iii) subclause (I) of paragraph 
(3)(B)(ii) shall be applied by substituting 
‘2’ for ‘21⁄2’. 
‘‘(B) ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN MOD-
ERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(i) ELECTION.—A member of a uni-
formed service serving on January 1, 2018, 
may elect to accept the reduced multipliers 
described in subparagraph (A) for purposes 
of calculating the retired pay of the mem-
ber. 
‘‘(ii) EFFECT OF ELECTION.—A mem-
ber making the election described in clause 
(i) shall— 
‘‘(I) have the retired pay of the 
member calculated using the reduced 
multipliers described in subparagraph 
(A);
238 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(III) MEMBERS
EXPERIENCING 
BREAK IN SERVICE.—A member of a 
uniformed service returning to service 
after a break in service in which falls 
the election period specified in sub-
clause (I) shall make the election de-
scribed in clause (i) on the date of the 
reentry into service of the member. 
‘‘(iv) NO RETROACTIVE MATCHING CON-
TRIBUTIONS
PURSUANT
TO
ELECTION.— 
Thrift Savings Plan matching contributions 
may not be made for a member under this 
subparagraph for any pay period beginning 
before the date of the member’s election 
under clause (i). 
‘‘(C) REGULATIONS.—Each Secretary con-
cerned shall prescribe regulations to implement 
this paragraph.’’. 
(2) NON-REGULAR SERVICE.—Section 12739 of 
such title is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(f) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(1) REDUCED MULTIPLIERS FOR PERSONS RE-
CEIVING TSP MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.—In the case 
of a person who first performs reserve component
239 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
service after January 1, 2018, after not having per-
formed regular or reserve component service on or be-
fore that date, or a person who makes the election de-
scribed in paragraph (2)— 
‘‘(A) paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall 
be applied by substituting ‘2 percent’ for ‘21⁄2 
percent’; 
‘‘(B) subparagraph (A) of subsection (c)(2) 
shall be applied by substituting ‘60 percent’ for 
‘75 percent’; and 
‘‘(C) clause (ii) of subsection (c)(2)(B) shall 
be applied by substituting ‘2 percent’ for ‘21⁄2 
percent’. 
‘‘(2) ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN MODERNIZED 
RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) ELECTION.—A person performing re-
serve component service on January 1, 2018, 
may elect to accept the reduced multipliers de-
scribed in paragraph (1) for purposes of calcu-
lating the retired pay of the person. 
‘‘(B) EFFECT
OF
ELECTION.—A person 
making the election described in subparagraph 
(A) shall—
240 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(i) have the retired pay of the person 
calculated using the reduced multipliers de-
scribed in paragraph (1): 
‘‘(ii) receive Thrift Savings Plan 
(TSP) matching contributions pursuant to 
section 8440e(e) of title 5 for periods of 
service between the completion of 2 years of 
service and the completion of 20 years of 
service in accordance with paragraph 
(3)(B) of such section; and 
‘‘(iii) be eligible for lump sum pay-
ments under section 1415 of this title. 
‘‘(C) ELECTION PERIOD.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided 
in clauses (ii) and (iii), a person per-
forming reserve component service may 
make the election described in subparagraph 
(A) during the period that begins on July 
1, 2018, and ends on December 31, 2018. 
‘‘(ii) HARDSHIP EXTENSION.—The Sec-
retary concerned may extend the election 
period described in clause (i) for a person 
who experiences a hardship as determined 
by the Secretary concerned.
241 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(iii) PERSONS EXPERIENCING BREAK 
IN SERVICE.—A person returning to reserve 
component service after a break in reserve 
component service in which falls the election 
period specified in clause (i) shall make the 
election described in subparagraph (A) on 
the date of the reentry into service of the 
person. 
‘‘(iv) NO RETROACTIVE MATCHING CON-
TRIBUTIONS
PURSUANT
TO
ELECTION.— 
Thrift Savings Plan matching contributions 
may not be made for a person under this 
paragraph for any pay period beginning be-
fore the date of the person’s election under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(3) REGULATIONS.—Each Secretary concerned 
shall prescribe regulations to implement this sub-
section.’’. 
(b) COORDINATING AMENDMENTS TO OTHER RETIRE-
MENT AUTHORITIES.— 
(1) DISABILITY, WARRANT OFFICERS, AND DOPMA 
RETIRED PAY.— 
(A) COMPUTATION OF RETIRED PAY.—The 
table in section 1401(a) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended—
242 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(i) in paragraph (1) in column 2 of 
formula number 1, by striking ‘‘21⁄2% of 
years of service credited to him under sec-
tion 1208’’ and inserting ‘‘the retired pay 
multiplier determined for the member under 
section 1409 of this title’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (1) in column 2 of 
formula number 2, by striking ‘‘21⁄2% of 
years of service credited to him under sec-
tion 1208’’ and inserting ‘‘the retired pay 
multiplier determined for the member under 
section 1409 of this title’’; and 
(iii) in column 2 of each of formula 
number 4 and formula number 5, by strik-
ing ‘‘section 1409(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 1409’’. 
(B) CLARIFICATION
REGARDING
MODERN-
IZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.—Section 1401a(b) of 
such title is amended— 
(i) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
paragraph (6); and 
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (4) 
the following new paragraph (5): 
‘‘(5) ADJUSTMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS IN MOD-
ERNIZED
RETIREMENT
SYSTEM.—Notwithstanding
243 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
paragraph (3), if a member makes the election de-
scribed in section 1409(b)(4) of this title, the Sec-
retary shall increase the retired pay of such member 
in accordance with paragraph (2).’’. 
(2) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC AD-
MINISTRATION COMMISSIONED OFFICER CORPS ACT OF 
2002.—Paragraph (2) of section 245(a) of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 
3045(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) the retired pay multiplier determined under 
section 1409 of such title for the number of years of 
service that may be credited to the officer under sec-
tion 1405 of such title as if the officer’s service were 
service as a member of the Armed Forces.’’. 
(3) TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE.— 
(A) 15-YEAR CAREER STATUS BONUS RE-
PAYMENT.—Subsection (f) of section 354 of title 
37, United States Code, is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘If a’’ and inserting 
‘‘(1) If a’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) If a person who is paid a bonus under this section 
subsequently makes an election described in section
244 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
1409(b)(4) or 12739(f) of title 10, the person shall repay 
any bonus payments received under this section in the same 
manner as repayments are made under section 373 of this 
title.’’. 
(B) SUNSET
AND
CONTINUATION
OF
PAY-
MENTS.—Such section 354 is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) SUNSET AND CONTINUATION OF PAYMENTS.—(1) 
A Secretary concerned may not pay a new bonus under 
this section after December 31, 2017. 
‘‘(2) Subject to subsection (f)(2), the Secretary con-
cerned may continue to make payments after December 31, 
2017, for bonuses that were awarded under this section on 
or before that date.’’. 
(4) PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT.—Paragraph 
(4) of section 211(a) of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 212) is amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘at the rate of 2 1⁄2 per centum 
of the basic pay of the highest grade held by him 
as such officer’’ and inserting ‘‘calculated by 
multiplying the retired pay base determined 
under section 1406 of title 10, United States 
Code, by the retired pay multiplier determined 
under section 1409 of such title for the numbers
245 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
of years of service credited to the officer under 
this paragraph’’; and 
(B) in the matter following subparagraph 
(B)(iii)— 
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
‘‘such pay, and’’ and inserting ‘‘such pay,’’; 
and 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘such basic pay.’’ and inserting ‘‘such basic 
pay, and (E) in the case of any officer who 
makes the election described in section 
1409(b)(4) of title 10, United States Code, 
subparagraph (C) shall be applied by sub-
stituting ‘40 per centum’ for ‘50 per cen-
tum’ each place the term appears and sub-
paragraph (D) shall be applied by sub-
stituting ‘60 per centum’ for ‘75 per cen-
tum’.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATES.— 
(1) MODERNIZED
RETIREMENT
SYSTEMS.—The 
amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect 
on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) COORDINATING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the amendments made by
246 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
subsection (b) shall take effect on January 1, 
2018. 
(B) TITLE 37 AMENDMENTS.—The amend-
ments made by paragraph (3) of subsection (b) 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 633. LUMP SUM PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN RETIRED PAY. 
(a) LUMP SUM PAYMENTS
OF CERTAIN RETIRED 
PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 71 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 1415. Lump sum payment of certain retired pay 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED RETIRED PAY.—The term ‘covered 
retired pay’ means retired pay under— 
‘‘(A) this title; 
‘‘(B) title 14; 
‘‘(C) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act 
of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); or 
‘‘(D) the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 201 et seq.). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE PERSON.—The term ‘eligible per-
son’ means a person who—
247 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(A)(i) first becomes a member of a uni-
formed service on or after January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(ii) makes the election described in section 
1409(b)(4) or 12739(f) of this title; and 
‘‘(B) does not retire or separate under chap-
ter 61 of this title. 
‘‘(3) RETIREMENT AGE.—The term ‘retirement 
age’ has the meaning given the term in section 216(l) 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(l)). 
‘‘(b) ELECTION OF LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF CERTAIN 
RETIRED PAY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible person entitled to 
covered retired pay (including an eligible person who 
is entitled to such pay by reason of an election de-
scribed in subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii)) may elect— 
‘‘(A) to receive a lump sum payment of the 
discounted present value at the time of the elec-
tion of the amount of the covered retired pay 
that the eligible person is otherwise entitled to 
receive for the period beginning on the date of re-
tirement and ending on the date the eligible per-
son attains the eligible person’s retirement age; 
or 
‘‘(B) to receive—
248 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(i) a lump sum payment of an 
amount equal to 50 percent of the amount 
otherwise receivable by the eligible person 
pursuant to subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) a monthly amount during the pe-
riod described in subparagraph (A) equal to 
50 percent of the amount of monthly covered 
retired pay the eligible person is otherwise 
entitled to receive during such period. 
‘‘(2) DISCOUNTED
PRESENT
VALUE.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall compute the discounted present 
value of amounts of covered retired pay that an eligi-
ble person is otherwise entitled to receive for a period 
for purposes of paragraph (1)(A) by— 
‘‘(A) estimating the aggregate amount of re-
tired pay the person would receive for the period, 
taking into account cost-of-living adjustments 
under section 1401a of this title projected by the 
Secretary at the time the person separates from 
service and would otherwise begin receiving cov-
ered retired pay; and 
‘‘(B) reducing the aggregate amount esti-
mated pursuant to subparagraph (A) by an ap-
propriate percentage determined by the Sec-
retary—
249 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(i) using average personal discount 
rates (as defined and calculated by the Sec-
retary taking into consideration applicable 
and reputable studies of personal discount 
rates for military personnel and past actu-
arial experience in the calculation of per-
sonal discount rates under this paragraph); 
and 
‘‘(ii) in accordance with generally ac-
cepted actuarial principles and practices. 
‘‘(3) TIMING OF ELECTION.—An eligible person 
shall make the election under this subsection not later 
than 90 days before the date of the retirement of the 
eligible person from the uniformed services. 
‘‘(4) SINGLE PAYMENT OR COMBINATION OF PAY-
MENTS.—An eligible person may elect to receive a 
lump sum payment under this subsection in a single 
payment or in a combination of payments. 
‘‘(5) COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT.—An eligible 
person who makes an election under this subsection 
shall receive the lump sum payment, or the first in-
stallment of a combination of payments of the lump 
sum payment if elected under paragraph (4), as fol-
lows:
250 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(A) Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the retirement of the eligible person from the 
uniformed services. 
‘‘(B) In the case of an eligible person who 
is a member of a reserve component, not later 
than 60 days after the later of— 
‘‘(i) the date on which the eligible per-
son attains 60 years of age; or 
‘‘(ii) the date on which the eligible per-
son first becomes entitled to covered retired 
pay. 
‘‘(6) NO SUBSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT.—An eligible 
person who accepts payment of a lump sum under 
this subsection may not seek the review of or otherwise 
challenge the amount of the lump sum in light of any 
variation in cost-of-living adjustments under section 
1401a of this title, actuarial assumptions, or other 
factors used by the Secretary in calculating the 
amount of the lump sum that occur after the Sec-
retary pays the lump sum. 
‘‘(c) RESUMPTION OF MONTHLY ANNUITY.— 
‘‘(1) GENERAL RULE.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
an eligible person who makes an election described in 
subsection (b) shall be entitled to receive the eligible 
person’s monthly covered retired pay calculated in ac-
251 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
cordance with paragraph (2) after the eligible person 
attains the eligible person’s retirement age. 
‘‘(2) 
RESTORATION
OF
FULL
RETIREMENT 
AMOUNT AT RETIREMENT AGE.—The retired pay of an 
eligible person who makes an election described in 
subsection (a) shall be recomputed, effective on the 
first day of the first month beginning after the person 
attains the eligible person’s retirement age, so as to 
be an amount equal to the amount of covered retired 
pay to which the eligible person would otherwise be 
entitled on that date if the annual increases, in the 
retired pay of the eligible person made to reflect 
changes in the Consumer Price Index, had been made 
in accordance with section 1401a of this title. 
‘‘(d) PAYMENT OF RETIRED PAY TO PERSONS NOT 
MAKING ELECTION.—An eligible person who does not make 
the election described in subsection (b) shall be paid the re-
tired pay to which the eligible person is otherwise entitled 
under the applicable provisions of law referred to in sub-
section (a)(1). 
‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense con-
cerned shall prescribe regulations to carry out the provi-
sions of this section.’’.
252 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 71 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘1415. Lump sum payment of certain retired pay.’’. 
(3) PAYMENTS FROM DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
MILITARY RETIREMENT FUND.—Section 1463(a)(1) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘or 1414’’ and inserting ‘‘, 1414, or 1415’’. 
(b) OFFSET OF VETERANS PENSION AND COMPENSA-
TION BY AMOUNT OF LUMP SUM PAYMENTS.—Section 5304 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d)(1) Other than amounts payable under section 
1413a or 1414 of title 10, the amount of pension and com-
pensation benefits payable to a person under this title shall 
be reduced by the amount of any lump sum payment made 
to such person under section 1415 of title 10. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall collect any reduction under 
paragraph (1) from amounts otherwise payable to the per-
son under this title, including pension and compensation 
payable under this title, before any pension and compensa-
tion payments under this title may be paid to the person.’’.
253 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 634. CONTINUATION PAY AFTER 12 YEARS OF SERVICE 
FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERV-
ICES PARTICIPATING IN THE MODERNIZED 
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS. 
(a) CONTINUATION PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 5 of 
title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new sections: 
‘‘§ 356. Continuation pay after 12 years of service: 
members participating in modernized re-
tirement systems 
‘‘(a) CONTINUATION PAY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 
shall make a payment of continuation pay to each 
member of the uniformed services under the jurisdic-
tion of the Secretary who— 
‘‘(A)(i) first becomes a member of a uni-
formed service after January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(ii) subject to paragraph (2), makes the 
election described in section 1409(b)(4) or 
12739(f) of title 10; and 
‘‘(B) after the date on which the member 
satisfies the applicable requirement in subpara-
graph (A)— 
‘‘(i) completes 12 years of service; and
254 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(ii) enters into an agreement with the 
Secretary to serve for an additional 4 years 
of obligated service. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY DEPENDENT ON ELECTION BE-
FORE
COMPLETION
OF
YEARS
OF
SERVICE.—A 
member who makes an election described in para-
graph (1)(A)(ii) after the member completes 12 years 
of service is not eligible for continuation pay under 
this section. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The amount of continuation pay pay-
able to a member under this section shall be the amount 
that is equal to— 
‘‘(1) in the case of a member of a regular compo-
nent— 
‘‘(A) the monthly basic pay of the member 
at 12 years of service multiplied by 2.5; plus 
‘‘(B) at the discretion of the Secretary con-
cerned, the monthly basic pay of the member at 
12 years of service multiplied by such number of 
months (not to exceed 13 months) as the Sec-
retary concerned shall specify in the agreement 
of the member under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(2) in the case of a member of a reserve compo-
nent—
255 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(A) the amount of monthly basic pay to 
which the member would be entitled at 12 years 
of service if the member were a member of a reg-
ular component multiplied by 0.5; plus 
‘‘(B) at the discretion of the Secretary con-
cerned, the amount of monthly basic pay de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) multiplied by such 
number of months (not to exceed 6 months) as 
the Secretary concerned shall specify in the 
agreement of the member under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) TIMING OF PAYMENT.—The Secretary concerned 
shall pay continuation pay under this section to a member 
when the member completes 12 years of service. 
‘‘(d) LUMP SUM OR INSTALLMENTS.—A member may 
elect to receive continuation pay under this section in a 
lump sum or in a series of not more than 4 payments. 
‘‘(e) RELATIONSHIP
TO OTHER PAY
AND ALLOW-
ANCES.—Continuation pay under this section is in addi-
tion to any other pay or allowance to which the member 
is entitled. 
‘‘(f) REPAYMENT.—A member who receives continu-
ation pay under this section and fails to complete the obli-
gated service required under subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii) shall 
be subject to the repayment provisions of section 373 of this 
title.
256 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(g) REGULATIONS.—Each Secretary concerned shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 5 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘356. Continuation pay after 12 years of service: members participating in mod-
ernized retirement systems.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2018, and shall 
apply with respect to agreements entered into under section 
356 of title 37, United States Code, after that date. 
SEC. 635. AUTHORITY FOR RETIREMENT FLEXIBILITY FOR 
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) AUTHORITY
FOR RETIREMENT FLEXIBILITY.— 
Chapter 63 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘§ 1276. Retirement flexibility: authority to modify 
years of service required for retirement 
for particular occupational specialities or 
other groupings 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary concerned may modify the years 
of service required for an eligible member to retire, to great-
er than or fewer than 20 years of service, in order to facili-
tate management actions that shape the personnel profile 
or correct manpower shortages within an occupational spe-
257 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
cialty or other grouping of members of the uniformed serv-
ices. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE MEMBER DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘eligible member’ means a member of the uniformed 
services working in an occupational specialty or other 
grouping designated by the Secretary concerned as in need 
of a management action described in subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) NOTICE-AND-WAIT.— 
‘‘(1) NOTICE
REQUIRED.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall submit to Congress notice of any pro-
posed modification under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The Secretary concerned may 
not implement a proposed modification under sub-
section (a) until one year after the day on which the 
notice of the modification is submitted to Congress 
under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY.—The Secretary concerned may 
only modify the required years of service under subsection 
(a) for an eligible member who first becomes a member of 
a uniformed service on or after the date of the expiration 
of the one year period described in subsection (c)(2) that 
is applicable to the occupational specialty or other grouping 
in which the eligible member works.’’.
258 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new item: 
‘‘1276. Retirement flexibility: authority to modify years of service required for re-
tirement for particular occupational specialities or other 
groupings.’’. 
PART II—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 641. DEATH OF FORMER SPOUSE BENEFICIARIES AND 
SUBSEQUENT 
REMARRIAGES 
UNDER 
SUR-
VIVOR BENEFIT PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1448(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) EFFECT
OF
DEATH
OF
FORMER
SPOUSE 
BENEFICIARY.— 
‘‘(A) TERMINATION
OF
PARTICIPATION
IN 
PLAN.—A person who elects to provide an annu-
ity to a former spouse under paragraph (2) or 
(3) and whose former spouse subsequently dies is 
no longer a participant in the Plan, effective on 
the date of death of the former spouse. 
‘‘(B) AUTHORITY
FOR
ELECTION
OF
NEW 
SPOUSE BENEFICIARY.—If a person’s participa-
tion in the Plan is discontinued by reason of the 
death of a former spouse beneficiary, the person 
may elect to resume participation in the Plan 
and to elect a new spouse beneficiary as follows:
259 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(i) MARRIED ON THE DATE OF DEATH 
OF
FORMER
SPOUSE.—A person who is 
married at the time of the death of the 
former spouse beneficiary may elect to pro-
vide coverage to that person’s spouse. Such 
an election must be received by the Sec-
retary concerned within one year after the 
date of death of the former spouse bene-
ficiary. 
‘‘(ii) MARRIAGE
AFTER
DEATH
OF 
FORMER SPOUSE BENEFICIARY.—A person 
who is not married at the time of the death 
of the former spouse beneficiary and who 
later marries may elect to provide spouse 
coverage. Such an election must be received 
by the Secretary concerned within one year 
after the date on which that person marries. 
‘‘(C) EFFECTIVE DATE OF ELECTION.—The 
effective date of election under this paragraph 
shall be as follows: 
‘‘(i) An election under subparagraph 
(B)(i) is effective as of the first day of the 
first calendar month following the death of 
the former spouse beneficiary.
260 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(ii) An election under subparagraph 
(B)(ii) is effective as of the first day of the 
first calendar month following the month in 
which the election is received by the Sec-
retary concerned. 
‘‘(D) LEVEL OF COVERAGE.—A person mak-
ing an election under subparagraph (B) may not 
reduce the base amount previously elected. 
‘‘(E) PROCEDURES.—An election under this 
paragraph shall be in writing, signed by the 
participant, and made in such form and manner 
as the Secretary concerned may prescribe. 
‘‘(F) IRREVOCABILITY.—An election under 
this paragraph is irrevocable.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Paragraph (7) of section 
1448(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall apply with respect to any person whose 
former spouse beneficiary dies on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(c) APPLICABILITY TO FORMER SPOUSE DEATHS BE-
FORE ENACTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A person— 
(A) who before the date of the enactment of 
this Act had a former spouse beneficiary under
261 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
the Survivor Benefit Plan who died before that 
date; and 
(B) who on the date of the enactment of this 
Act is married, 
may elect to provide spouse coverage for such spouse 
under the Plan, regardless of whether the person mar-
ried such spouse before or after the death of the former 
spouse beneficiary. Any such election may only be 
made during the one-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE OF ELECTION IF MARRIED 
AT LEAST A YEAR AT DEATH FORMER SPOUSE.—If the 
person providing the annuity was married to the 
spouse beneficiary for at least one year at the time of 
the death of the former spouse beneficiary, the effective 
date of such election shall be the first day of the first 
month after the death of the former spouse bene-
ficiary. 
(3) OTHER EFFECTIVE DATE.—If the person pro-
viding the annuity married the spouse beneficiary 
after (or during the one-year period preceding) the 
death of the former spouse beneficiary, the effective 
date of the election shall be the first day of the first 
month following the first anniversary of the person’s 
marriage to the spouse beneficiary.
262 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(4) RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREMIUMS.—A person 
electing to participate in the Plan under this sub-
section shall be responsible for payment of all pre-
miums due from the effective date of the election. 
SEC. 642. TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION AND OTHER BEN-
EFITS FOR DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE 
RETIRED PAY AS A RESULT OF COURT-MAR-
TIAL SENTENCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 53 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1059 the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 1059a. Dependents of members of the armed forces 
ineligible to receive retired pay as a result 
of court-martial sentence: transitional 
compensation and other benefits; com-
missary and exchange benefits 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO PAY COMPENSATION.—The Sec-
retary of Defense, with respect to the armed forces (other 
than the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service 
in the Navy), and the Secretary of Homeland Security, with 
respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a 
service in the Navy, may each carry out a program under 
which the Secretary may pay monthly transitional com-
pensation in accordance with this section to dependents or
263 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
former dependents of a member of the armed forces described 
in subsection (b) who is under the jurisdiction of the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERS COVERED.—This section applies in the 
case of a member of the armed forces eligible for retired or 
retainer pay under this title for years of service who— 
‘‘(1) is separated from the armed forces pursuant 
to the sentence of a court-martial as a result of mis-
conduct while a member; and 
‘‘(2) has eligibility to receive retired pay termi-
nated pursuant to such sentence. 
‘‘(c) RECIPIENT OF PAYMENTS.—(1) In the case of a 
member of the armed forces described in subsection (b), the 
Secretary may pay compensation under this section to de-
pendents or former dependents of the member as follows: 
‘‘(A) If the member was married at the time of 
the commission of the offense resulting in separation 
from the armed forces, such compensation may be 
paid to the spouse or former spouse to whom the 
member was married at that time, including an 
amount for each, if any, dependent child of the mem-
ber who resides in the same household as that spouse 
or former spouse. 
‘‘(B) If there is a spouse or former spouse who 
is or, but for subsection (d)(2), would be eligible for
264 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
compensation under this section and if there is a de-
pendent child of the member who does not reside in 
the same household as that spouse or former spouse, 
compensation under this section may be paid to each 
such dependent child of the member who does not re-
side in that household. 
‘‘(C) If there is no spouse or former spouse who 
is or, but for subsection (d)(2), would be eligible 
under this section, compensation under this section 
may be paid to the dependent children of the member. 
‘‘(2) A dependent or former dependent of a member 
described in subsection (b) is not eligible for transitional 
compensation under this section if the Secretary concerned 
determines (under regulations prescribed under subsection 
(g)) that the dependent or former dependent either— 
‘‘(A) was an active participant in the conduct 
constituting the offense under chapter 47 of this title 
(the Uniform Code of Military Justice) for which the 
member was convicted and separated from the armed 
forces; or 
‘‘(B) did not cooperate with the investigation of 
such conduct. 
‘‘(d) COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION OF PAYMENT.— 
(1) Payment of transitional compensation under this sec-
tion shall commence—
265 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(A) as of the date the court-martial sentence is 
adjudged if the sentence, as adjudged, includes— 
‘‘(i) a dismissal, dishonorable discharge, or 
bad conduct discharge; and 
‘‘(ii) forfeiture of all pay and allowances; or 
‘‘(B) if there is a pretrial agreement that pro-
vides for disapproval or suspension of the dismissal, 
dishonorable discharge, bad conduct discharge, or for-
feiture of all pay and allowances, as of the date of the 
approval of the court-martial sentence by the person 
acting under section 860(c) of this title (article 60(c) 
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) if the sen-
tence, as approved, includes— 
‘‘(i) an unsuspended dismissal, dishonorable 
discharge, or bad conduct discharge; and 
‘‘(ii) forfeiture of all pay and allowances. 
‘‘(2) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (e), para-
graphs (1) and (2) of subsection (g), and subsections (f) and 
(h) of section 1059 of this title shall apply in determining— 
‘‘(A) the amount of transitional compensation to 
be paid under this section; 
‘‘(B) the period for which such compensation 
may be paid; and 
‘‘(C) the circumstances under which the payment 
of such compensation may or will cease.
266 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(e) COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE BENEFITS.—A de-
pendent or former dependent who receives transitional com-
pensation under this section shall, while receiving such pay-
ments, be entitled to use commissary and exchange stores 
in the same manner as provided in subsection (j) of section 
1059 of this title. 
‘‘(f) COORDINATION OF BENEFITS.—(1) The Secretary 
concerned may not make payments to a spouse or former 
spouse under both this section, on the one hand, and section 
1059, 1408(h), or 1408(i) of this title, on the other hand. 
In the case of a spouse or former spouse for whom a court 
order provides for payments pursuant to section 1408(h) 
or 1408(i) of this title and to whom the Secretary offers 
payments under this section or section 1059 of this title, 
the spouse or former spouse shall elect which payments to 
receive. 
‘‘(2) Upon the cessation of payments of transitional 
compensation to a spouse or former spouse under this sec-
tion pursuant to subsection (d)(2), a spouse or former 
spouse who elected payments of transitional compensation 
under this section and either remains or becomes eligible 
for payments under section 1408(h) or 1408(i) of this title, 
as applicable, may commence receipt of payments under 
such section 1408(h) or 1408(i) in accordance with such sec-
tion.
267 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(g) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out this section with respect 
to the armed forces (other than the Coast Guard when it 
is not operating as a service in the Navy). The Secretary 
of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out this section with respect to the Coast Guard when it 
is not operating as a service in the Navy. 
‘‘(h) DEPENDENT CHILD DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘dependent child’, with respect to a member or 
former member of the armed forces referred to in subsection 
(b), has the meaning given such term in subsection (l) of 
section 1059 of this title, except that status as a ‘dependent 
child’ shall be determined as of the date on which the mem-
ber described in subsection (b) is convicted of the offense 
concerned.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 53 of such title is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 1059 the following 
new item: 
‘‘1059a. Dependents of members of the armed forces ineligible to receive retired 
pay as a result of court-martial sentence: transitional compensa-
tion and other benefits; commissary and exchange benefits.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (i) of sec-
tion 1059 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(i) COORDINATION
OF BENEFITS.—The Secretary 
concerned may not make payments to a spouse or former
268 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
spouse under both this section, on the one hand, and section 
1059a, 1408(h), or 1408(i) of this title, on the other hand. 
In the case of a spouse or former spouse for whom a court 
order provides for payments pursuant to section 1408(h) 
or 1408(i) of this title and to whom the Secretary offers 
payments under this section or section 1059a of this title, 
the spouse or former spouse shall elect which payments to 
receive.’’. 
Subtitle E—Commissary and Non- 
Appropriated Fund Instrumen-
tality Benefits and Operations 
SEC. 651. COMMISSARY SYSTEM MATTERS. 
(a) OPERATING EXPENSES.—Section 2483 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘supplies 
and’’; 
(B) by striking (5); and 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (5); and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(d) TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR CERTAIN GOODS 
AND SUPPLIES.—Appropriated funds may be used to pay 
any costs associated with the transportation of commissary
269 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
goods and supplies to overseas areas, but only to the extent 
that the working capital fund for commissary operations 
is reimbursed for the payment of such costs. The sales prices 
in commissary stores worldwide shall be adjusted in an 
equal percentage to the extent necessary to provide sufficient 
gross revenues from such sales to make such reimburse-
ments. 
‘‘(e) UNIFORM SYSTEM-WIDE PRICING.—The defense 
commissary system shall be managed with the objective of 
attaining uniform system-wide pricing.’’. 
(b) PRICING AND SURCHARGES.—Section 2484 of such 
title is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the 
following new subsection (e): 
‘‘(e) SALES PRICE ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary 
of Defense shall establish the sales price of merchandise sold 
in, at, or by commissary stores in amounts sufficient to 
finance operating expenses as prescribed in section 2483(b) 
of this title and the replenishment of inventories.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h)— 
(A) in the subsection caption, by striking 
‘‘AND MAINTENANCE’’ and inserting ‘‘MAINTE-
NANCE, AND PURCHASE
OF OPERATING SUP-
PLIES’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)(A)—
270 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following 
new clause: 
‘‘(iii) to purchase operating supplies for com-
missary stores.’’. 
(c) OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION.—Section 2643(b) of 
such title is amended by striking the first sentence and in-
serting the following new sentence: ‘‘Defense working capital 
funds may be used to cover the transportation costs of com-
missary goods and supplies as provided in section 2483(d) 
of this title.’’. 
SEC. 652. PLAN ON PRIVATIZATION OF THE DEFENSE COM-
MISSARY SYSTEM. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2016, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report setting forth a plan for the 
privatization, in whole or in part, of the defense com-
missary system of the Department of Defense.
271 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall consult 
with major grocery retailers in the continental United 
States in developing the plan. 
(b) ELEMENTS.— 
(1) PLAN ELEMENTS.—The plan required by sub-
section (a) shall ensure the provision of high quality 
grocery goods and products, discount savings to pa-
trons, and high levels of customer satisfaction while 
achieving savings for the Department of Defense. 
(2) REPORT ELEMENTS.—The report required by 
subsection (a) should include— 
(A) an evaluation of the current rates of 
basic pay and basic allowance for subsistence 
payable to members of the Armed Forces, and an 
assessment whether such pay and allowance 
should be adjusted to ensure that members main-
tain purchasing power for grocery goods and 
products under the plan; 
(B) an estimate of any initial and long- 
term costs or savings to the Department as a re-
sult of the implementation of the plan; 
(C) an assessment whether the privatized 
defense commissary system under the plan can 
sustain the current savings to patrons of the de-
fense commissary system;
272 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(D) an assessment of the impact that pri-
vatization of the defense commissary system 
under the plan would have on all eligible bene-
ficiaries; 
(E) an assessment whether the privatized 
defense commissary system under the plan can 
sustain the continued operation of existing com-
missaries; and 
(F) an assessment whether privatization of 
the defense commissary system is feasible for 
overseas commissaries. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR
LEGISLATIVE
AC-
TION.—The plan shall include recommendations for 
such legislative action as the Secretary considers ap-
propriate to implement the plan. 
(c) COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES 
ASSESSMENT OF PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after the 
submittal of the report required by subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to 
the committees of Congress referred to in that subsection a 
report setting forth an assessment by the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the plan set forth in the report required by that sub-
section. 
(d) PILOT PROGRAM ON PRIVATIZATION.—
273 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(1) PILOT
PROGRAM
REQUIRED.—Commencing 
as soon as practicable after the submittal to Congress 
of the report required by subsection (c), the Secretary 
shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasi-
bility and advisability of the plan set forth in the re-
port required by subsection (a). 
(2) 
NUMBER
AND
LOCATION
OF
COM-
MISSARIES.—The pilot program shall involve not 
fewer than five commissaries selected by the Secretary 
for purposes of the pilot program from among com-
missaries in the largest markets of the defense com-
missary system in the United States. 
(3) SCOPE OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary 
shall carry out the pilot program in accordance with 
the plan described in paragraph (1) as modified by 
the Secretary in light of the assessment of the plan by 
the Comptroller General pursuant to subsection (c). 
The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a notice on any modifications made to 
the plan for purposes of the pilot program in light of 
the assessment. 
(4) ADDITIONAL
ELEMENT
ON
ONLINE
PUR-
CHASES.—In an addition to any requirements under 
paragraph (3), the Secretary may include in the pilot
274 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
program a component designed to permit eligible 
beneficiaries of the defense commissary system in the 
catchment areas of the commissaries selected for par-
ticipation in the pilot program to order and purchase 
grocery goods and products otherwise available 
through the defense commissary system through the 
Internet and to receive items so ordered through home 
delivery. 
(5) DURATION.—The duration of the pilot pro-
gram shall be two years. 
(6) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on 
the pilot program, including— 
(A) an assessment of the feasibility and ad-
visability of carrying out the plan described in 
paragraph (1), as modified, if at all, as de-
scribed in paragraph (3); and 
(B) a description of any modifications to 
the plan the Secretary considers appropriate in 
light of the pilot program.
275 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 653. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES 
REPORT ON THE COMMISSARY SURCHARGE, 
NON-APPROPRIATED FUND, AND PRIVATELY- 
FINANCED MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report on the Commissary Surcharge, Non-appro-
priated Fund and Privately-Financed Major Construction 
Program of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An assessment whether the Secretary of De-
fense has established policies and procedures to ensure 
the timely submittal to the committees of Congress re-
ferred to in subsection (a) of notice on construction 
projects proposed to be funded through the program 
referred to in that subsection. 
(2) An assessment whether the Secretaries of the 
military departments have developed and imple-
mented policies and procedures to comply with the 
policies and directives of the Department of Defense 
for the submittal to such committees of Congress of 
notice on such construction projects.
276 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(3) An assessment whether the Secretary of De-
fense has established policies and procedures to notify 
such committees of Congress when such construction 
projects have been commenced without notice to Con-
gress. 
(4) An assessment whether construction projects 
described in paragraph (3) have been completed before 
submittal of notice to Congress as described in that 
paragraph and, if so, a list of such projects. 
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE 
PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other 
Health Care Benefits 
SEC. 701. URGENT CARE AUTHORIZATION UNDER THE 
TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) URGENT CARE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the regu-
lations prescribed under this section, a covered bene-
ficiary under the TRICARE program shall have ac-
cess to up to four urgent care visits per year under 
that program without the need for preauthorization 
for such visits. 
(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
277 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
retary shall prescribe regulations to carry out para-
graph (1). 
(b) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) publish information on any modifications 
made pursuant to subsection (a) to the authorization 
requirements for the receipt of urgent care under the 
TRICARE program— 
(A) on the primary Internet website that is 
available to the public of the Department; and 
(B) on the primary Internet website that is 
available to the public of each military medical 
treatment facility; and 
(2) ensure that such information is made avail-
able on the primary Internet website that is available 
to the public of each current managed care contractor 
that has established a health care provider network 
under the TRICARE program. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘covered 
beneficiary’’ and ‘‘TRICARE program’’ have the meaning 
given such terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States 
Code.
278 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 702. MODIFICATIONS OF COST-SHARING REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR THE TRICARE PHARMACY BENE-
FITS PROGRAM. 
Paragraph (6) of section 1074g(a) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(6)(A) In the case of any of the years 2016 through 
2025, the cost-sharing amounts under this subsection shall 
be determined in accordance with the following table: 
‘‘For: 
The cost-shar-
ing amount 
for 30-day 
supply of a re-
tail generic is: 
The cost-shar-
ing amount 
for 30-day 
supply of a re-
tail formulary 
is: 
The cost-shar-
ing amount 
for a 90-day 
supply of a 
mail order ge-
neric is: 
The cost-shar-
ing amount 
for a 90-day 
supply of a 
mail order for-
mulary is: 
The cost-shar-
ing amount 
for a 90-day 
supply of a 
mail order 
non-formulary 
is: 
2016 
$8 
$28 
$0 
$28 
$54 
2017 
$8 
$30 
$0 
$30 
$58 
2018 
$8 
$32 
$0 
$32 
$62 
2019 
$9 
$34 
$9 
$34 
$66 
2020 
$10 
$36 
$10 
$36 
$70 
2021 
$11 
$38 
$11 
$38 
$75 
2022 
$12 
$40 
$12 
$40 
$80 
2023 
$13 
$43 
$13 
$43 
$85 
2024 
$14 
$45 
$14 
$45 
$90 
2025 
$14 
$46 
$14 
$46 
$92 
‘‘(B) For any year after 2025, the cost-sharing 
amounts under this subsection shall be equal to the cost- 
sharing amounts for the previous year adjusted by an 
amount, if any, determined by the Secretary to reflect 
changes in the costs of pharmaceutical agents and prescrip-
tion dispensing, rounded to the nearest dollar.
279 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the 
cost-sharing amounts under this subsection for any year for 
a dependent of a member of the uniformed services who dies 
while on active duty, a member retired under chapter 61 
of this title, or a dependent of such a member shall be equal 
to the cost-sharing amounts, if any, for 2015.’’. 
SEC. 703. EXPANSION OF CONTINUED HEALTH BENEFITS 
COVERAGE TO INCLUDE DISCHARGED AND 
RELEASED MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RE-
SERVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 1078a of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) 
as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) A member of the Selected Reserve of the 
Ready Reserve of a reserve component of the armed 
forces who— 
‘‘(A) is discharged or released from service 
in the Selected Reserve, whether voluntarily or 
involuntarily, under other than adverse condi-
tions, as characterized by the Secretary con-
cerned;
280 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(B) immediately preceding that discharge 
or release, is eligible to enroll in TRICARE 
Standard coverage under section 1076d of this 
title; and 
‘‘(C) after that discharge or release, would 
not otherwise be eligible for any benefits under 
this chapter.’’. 
(b) NOTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.—Subsection (c)(2) 
of such section is amended by inserting ‘‘or subsection 
(b)(2)’’ after ‘‘subsection (b)(1)’’. 
(c) ELECTION OF COVERAGE.—Subsection (d) of such 
section is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) 
as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) In the case of a member described in sub-
section (b)(2), the written election shall be submitted 
to the Secretary concerned before the end of the 60- 
day period beginning on the later of— 
‘‘(A) the date of the discharge or release of 
the member from service in the Selected Reserve; 
and 
‘‘(B) the date the member receives the notifi-
cation required pursuant to subsection (c).’’.
281 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(d) COVERAGE OF DEPENDENTS.—Subsection (e) of 
such section is amended by inserting ‘‘or subsection (b)(2)’’ 
after ‘‘subsection (b)(1)’’. 
(e) PERIOD OF CONTINUED COVERAGE.—Subsection 
(g)(1) of such section is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through 
(D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E); and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B) in the case of a member described in sub-
section (b)(2), the date which is 18 months after the 
date the member ceases to be eligible to enroll in 
TRICARE Standard coverage under section 1076d of 
this title;’’. 
(f) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Such section is fur-
ther amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(3)’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (b)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(4)’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)—
282 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(A) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by 
subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)(2)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(3)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘subsection (b)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (b)(4)’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘subsection (b)(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (b)(5)’’; 
(3) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(b)(2) or subsection (b)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(b)(3) or subsection (b)(4)’’; and 
(4) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (C), as redesig-
nated by subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(b)(3)’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), as so redes-
ignated, by striking ‘‘subsection (b)(3)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(4)’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (E), as so redes-
ignated, by striking ‘‘subsection (b)(4)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(5)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)—
283 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(i) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)(B)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)(C)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (b)(2)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(3)’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)(C)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)(D)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (b)(3)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (b)(4)’’. 
SEC. 704. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR SMOKING 
CESSATION SERVICES FOR CERTAIN TRICARE 
BENEFICIARIES. 
Section 713(f) of the Duncan Hunter National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110– 
417; 122 Stat. 4503) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘during fis-
cal year 2009’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘during 
such period’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘during fiscal 
year 2009’’ and inserting ‘‘after September 30, 2008’’.
284 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 705. PILOT PROGRAM ON TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES FOR POST-TRAUMATIC 
STRESS DISORDER RELATED TO MILITARY 
SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense may con-
duct a pilot program to provide intensive outpatient pro-
grams to treat members of the Armed Forces suffering from 
post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from military sex-
ual trauma, including treatment for substance abuse, de-
pression, and other issues related to such conditions. 
(b) GRANTS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense may 
carry out the pilot program through the award of 
grants to community partners described in paragraph 
(2). 
(2) COMMUNITY PARTNERS.—A community part-
ner described in this paragraph is a private health 
care organization or institution that— 
(A) provides health care to members of the 
Armed Forces; 
(B) provides evidence-based treatment for 
psychological and neurological conditions that 
are common among members of the Armed 
Forces, including post-traumatic stress disorder, 
traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and de-
pression;
285 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(C) provides health care, support, and other 
benefits to family members of members of the 
Armed Forces; and 
(D) 
provides 
health 
care 
under 
the 
TRICARE program (as that term is defined in 
section 1072 of title 10, United States Code). 
(c) REQUIREMENTS
OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.—Each 
community partner awarded a grant under subsection (b) 
shall— 
(1) carry out intensive outpatient programs of 
short duration to treat members of the Armed Forces 
suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting 
from military sexual trauma, including treatment for 
substance abuse, depression, and other issues related 
to such conditions; 
(2) use evidence-based and evidence-informed 
treatment strategies in carrying out such programs; 
(3) share clinical and outreach best practices 
with other community partners participating in the 
pilot program; and 
(4) annually assess outcomes for members of the 
Armed Forces individually and throughout the com-
munity partner with respect to the treatment of con-
ditions described in paragraph (1).
286 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the costs 
of a program carried out by a community partner using 
a grant under this section may not exceed 50 percent. 
(e) TERMINATION.—The Secretary of Defense may not 
carry out the conduct of the pilot program after the date 
that is three years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
Subtitle B—Health Care 
Administration 
SEC. 711. ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE UNDER THE TRICARE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
ensure that covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE 
program seeking an appointment for health care 
under such program at a military medical treatment 
facility obtain such an appointment at such facility 
within the wait-time goals specified for the receipt of 
such health care pursuant to the health care access 
standards established under subsection (b). 
(2) USE OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—If a covered 
beneficiary is unable to obtain an appointment with-
in the wait-time goals described in paragraph (1), 
such covered beneficiary shall be offered an appoint-
ment within such wait-time goals with a health care
287 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
provider with which a contract has been entered into 
under the TRICARE program. 
(b) STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO CARE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall establish health care access standards, including 
wait-time goals for appointments, for the receipt of 
health care under the TRICARE program, whether re-
ceived at military medical treatment facilities or 
from health care providers with which a contract has 
been entered into under such program. 
(2) CATEGORIES OF CARE.—The health care ac-
cess standards established under paragraph (1) shall 
include standards with respect to the following cat-
egories of health care: 
(A) Primary care, including pediatric care, 
maternity care, gynecological care, and other 
subcategories of primary care. 
(B) Specialty care, including behavioral 
health care and other subcategories of specialty 
care. 
(3) MODIFICATIONS.—The Secretary may modify 
the health care access standards established under 
paragraph (1) whenever the Secretary considers the 
modification of such standards appropriate.
288 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(4) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish 
the health care access standards established under 
paragraph (1), and any modifications to such stand-
ards, in the Federal Register and on a publicly acces-
sible Internet website of the Department of Defense. 
(c) PUBLICATION OF APPOINTMENT WAIT TIMES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall publish on a publicly accessible Internet website 
of each military medical treatment facility that offers 
a category or subcategory of health care covered by the 
standards under subsection (b)(2) the average wait- 
time for a covered beneficiary for an appointment at 
such facility for the receipt of each such category and 
subcategory of health care. 
(2) MODIFICATIONS.—Whenever there is a modi-
fication of a wait-time for a category or subcategory 
of health care published under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall publish on a publicly accessible Inter-
net website of each military medical treatment facil-
ity that provides such category or subcategory of 
health care the modified wait-time for such category 
or subcategory of health care. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘covered 
beneficiary’’ and ‘‘TRICARE program’’ have the meaning
289 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
given such terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 712. PORTABILITY OF HEALTH PLANS UNDER THE 
TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) HEALTH PLAN PORTABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
ensure that covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE 
program who are covered under a health plan under 
such program are able to seamlessly access health care 
under such health plan in each TRICARE program 
region. 
(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall prescribe regulations to carry out para-
graph (1). 
(b) MECHANISMS TO ENSURE PORTABILITY.—In car-
rying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall do the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Provide for the automatic electronic transfer 
of demographic, enrollment, and claims information 
between the contractors responsible for administering 
the TRICARE program in each TRICARE region 
when covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE pro-
gram relocate between such regions.
290 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(2) Ensure such covered beneficiaries are able to 
obtain a new primary health care provider within ten 
days of undergoing such relocation. 
(3) Develop a process for such covered bene-
ficiaries 
to 
receive 
urgent 
care 
without 
preauthorization while undergoing such relocation. 
(c) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) publish information on any modifications 
made pursuant to subsection (a) with respect to the 
ability of covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE 
program who are covered under a health plan under 
such program to access health care in each TRICARE 
region on the primary Internet website of the Depart-
ment that is available to the public; and 
(2) ensure that such information is made avail-
able on the primary Internet website that is available 
to the public of each current contractor responsible for 
administering the TRICARE program. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘covered 
beneficiary’’ and ‘‘TRICARE program’’ have the meaning 
given such terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States 
Code.
291 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
SEC. 713. IMPROVEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE PRO-
VIDED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
(a) TRAINING ON RECOGNITION AND MANAGEMENT OF 
RISK OF SUICIDE.— 
(1) INITIAL TRAINING.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall ensure that all primary care 
and mental health care providers of the Department 
of Defense receive, or have already received, evidence- 
based training on the recognition and assessment of 
individuals at risk for suicide and the management 
of such risk. 
(2) ADDITIONAL TRAINING.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that providers who receive, or have already re-
ceived, training described in paragraph (1) receive 
such additional training thereafter as may be re-
quired based on evidence-based changes in health care 
practices. 
(b) ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—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 Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report assessing the mental health workforce of 
the Department of Defense and the long-term mental
292 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
health care needs of members of the Armed Forces and 
their dependents for purposes of determining the long- 
term requirements of the Department for mental 
health care providers. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The number of mental health care pro-
viders of the Department of Defense as of the 
date of the submittal of the report, disaggregated 
by specialty, including psychiatrists, psycholo-
gists, social workers, mental health counselors, 
and marriage and family therapists. 
(B) The number of mental health care pro-
viders that are anticipated to be needed by the 
Department. 
(C) The types of mental health care pro-
viders that are anticipated to be needed by the 
Department. 
(D) Locations in which mental health care 
providers are anticipated to be needed by the De-
partment. 
(c) PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES TO 
MEASURE MENTAL HEALTH DATA.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
293 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
plan for the Department of Defense to develop procedures 
to compile and assess data relating to the following: 
(1) Outcomes for mental health care provided by 
the Department. 
(2) Variations in such outcomes among different 
medical facilities of the Department. 
(3) Barriers, if any, to the implementation by 
mental health care providers of the Department of the 
clinical practice guidelines and other evidence-based 
treatments and approaches recommended for such 
providers by the Secretary. 
SEC. 714. COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS AND ACCESS TO 
CONTRACEPTION 
COUNSELING 
FOR 
MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to ensure 
that all health care providers employed by the Department 
of Defense who provide care for members of the Armed 
Forces, including general practitioners, are provided, 
through clinical practice guidelines, the most current evi-
dence-based and evidence-informed standards of care with 
respect to methods of contraception and counseling on meth-
ods of contraception. 
(b) CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES.—
294 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall compile clinical practice guidelines for 
health care providers described in subsection (a) on 
standards of care with respect to methods of contra-
ception and counseling on methods of contraception 
for members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) SOURCES.—The Secretary shall compile clin-
ical practice guidelines under this subsection from 
among clinical practice guidelines established by ap-
propriate health agencies and professional organiza-
tions, including the following: 
(A) The United States Preventive Services 
Task Force. 
(B) The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention. 
(C) The Office of Population Affairs of the 
Department of Health and Human Services. 
(D) The American College of Obstetricians 
and Gynecologists. 
(E) The Association of Reproductive Health 
Professionals. 
(F) The American Academy of Family Phy-
sicians.
295 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(G) The Agency for Healthcare Research 
and Quality. 
(3) UPDATES.—The Secretary shall from time to 
time update the list of clinical practice guidelines 
compiled under this subsection to incorporate into 
such guidelines new or updated standards of care 
with respect to methods of contraception and coun-
seling on methods of contraception. 
(4) DISSEMINATION.— 
(A) INITIAL
DISSEMINATION.—As soon as 
practicable after the compilation of clinical prac-
tice guidelines pursuant to paragraph (1), but 
commencing not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall provide for rapid dissemination of the clin-
ical practice guidelines to health care providers 
described in subsection (a). 
(B) UPDATES.—As soon as practicable after 
the adoption under paragraph (3) of any update 
to the clinical practice guidelines compiled pur-
suant to this subsection, the Secretary shall pro-
vide for the rapid dissemination of such clinical 
practice guidelines, as so updated, to health care 
providers described in subsection (a).
296 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(C) PROTOCOLS.—Clinical practice guide-
lines, and any updates to such guidelines, shall 
be disseminated under this paragraph in accord-
ance with administrative protocols developed by 
the Secretary for that purpose. 
(c) CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall, in order to assist health care providers de-
scribed in subsection (a), develop and implement clin-
ical decision support tools that reflect, through the 
clinical practice guidelines compiled pursuant to sub-
section (b), the most current evidence-based and evi-
dence-informed standards of care with respect to 
methods of contraception and counseling on methods 
of contraception. 
(2) UPDATES.—The Secretary shall from time to 
time update the clinical decision support tools devel-
oped under this subsection to incorporate into such 
tools new or updated guidelines on methods of contra-
ception and counseling on methods of contraception. 
(3) DISSEMINATION.—Clinical decision support 
tools, and any updates to such tools, shall be dissemi-
nated under this subsection in accordance with ad-
ministrative protocols developed by the Secretary for
297 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
that purpose. Such protocols shall be similar to the 
administrative protocols developed under subsection 
(b)(4)(C). 
(d) ACCESS
TO CONTRACEPTION COUNSELING.—As 
soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall ensure that women members of the 
Armed Forces have access to comprehensive counseling on 
the full range of methods of contraception provided by 
health care providers described in subsection (a) during 
health care visits, including visits as follows: 
(1) During predeployment health care visits, in-
cluding counseling that provides specific information 
women need regarding the interaction between antici-
pated deployment conditions and various methods of 
contraception. 
(2) During health care visits during deployment. 
(3) During annual physical examinations. 
(e) INCORPORATION INTO SURVEYS OF QUESTIONS ON 
SERVICEWOMEN EXPERIENCES WITH FAMILY PLANNING 
SERVICES AND COUNSELING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall integrate into the surveys by the Department of 
Defense specified in paragraph (2) questions designed
298 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
to obtain information on the experiences of women 
members of the Armed Forces— 
(A) in accessing family planning services 
and counseling; 
(B) in using family planning methods, in-
cluding information on which method was pre-
ferred and whether deployment conditions af-
fected the decision on which family planning 
method or methods to be used; and 
(C) with respect to women members of the 
Armed Forces who are pregnant, whether the 
pregnancy was intended. 
(2) COVERED SURVEYS.—The surveys into which 
questions shall be integrated as described in para-
graph (1) are the following: 
(A) The Health Related Behavior Survey of 
Active Duty Military Personnel. 
(B) The Health Care Survey of Department 
of Defense Beneficiaries. 
(f) EDUCATION ON FAMILY PLANNING FOR MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES.— 
(1) EDUCATION PROGRAMS.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Defense shall establish a uniform stand-
ard curriculum to be used in education programs on
299 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
family planning for all members of the Armed Forces, 
including both men and women members. 
(2) SENSE
OF
CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that the education programs described in 
paragraph (1) should use the latest technology avail-
able to efficiently and effectively deliver information 
to members of the Armed Forces. 
(3) ELEMENTS.—The uniform standard cur-
riculum under paragraph (1) shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(A) Information for members of the Armed 
Forces on active duty to make informed decisions 
regarding family planning. 
(B) Information about the prevention of un-
intended pregnancy and sexually transmitted in-
fections, including human immunodeficiency 
virus (HIV). 
(C) Information on the importance of pro-
viding comprehensive family planning for mem-
bers of the Armed Forces, and their commanding 
officers, and on the positive impact family plan-
ning can have on the health and readiness of the 
Armed Forces. 
(D) Current, medically accurate informa-
tion.
300 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(E) Clear, user-friendly information on the 
full range of methods of contraception and where 
members of the Armed Forces can access their 
chosen method of contraception. 
(F) Information on all applicable laws and 
policies so that members are informed of their 
rights and obligations. 
(G) Information on patients’ rights to con-
fidentiality. 
(H) 
Information 
on 
the 
unique 
cir-
cumstances encountered by members of the 
Armed Forces, and the effects of such cir-
cumstances on the use of contraception. 
SEC. 715. WAIVER OF RECOUPMENT OF ERRONEOUS PAY-
MENTS DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR 
UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1095f 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1095g. TRICARE program: waiver of recoupment of 
erroneous payments due to administrative 
error 
‘‘(a) WAIVER OF RECOUPMENT.—The Secretary of De-
fense may waive recoupment from a covered beneficiary who
301 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
has benefitted from an erroneous TRICARE payment in a 
case in which each of the following applies: 
‘‘(1) The payment was made due to an adminis-
trative error by an employee of the Department of De-
fense or a contractor under the TRICARE program. 
‘‘(2) The covered beneficiary (or in the case of a 
minor, the parent or guardian of the covered bene-
ficiary) had a good faith, reasonable belief that the 
covered beneficiary was entitled to the benefit of such 
payment under this chapter. 
‘‘(3) The covered beneficiary relied on the expec-
tation of such entitlement. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary determines that a waiver of 
recoupment of such payment is necessary to prevent 
an injustice. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTRACTOR.—In any case 
in which the Secretary waives recoupment under subsection 
(a) and the administrative error was on the part of a con-
tractor under the TRICARE program, the Secretary shall, 
consistent with the requirements and procedures of the ap-
plicable contract, impose financial responsibility on the 
contractor for the erroneous payment. 
‘‘(c) FINALITY OF DETERMINATIONS.—Any determina-
tion by the Secretary under this section to waive or decline 
to waive recoupment under subsection (a) is a final deter-
302 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
mination and shall not be subject to appeal or judicial re-
view.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 1095f the following 
new item: 
‘‘1095g. TRICARE program: waiver of recoupment of erroneous payments due to 
administrative error.’’. 
SEC. 716. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN NON-DEPARTMENT 
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WITH 
KNOWLEDGE RELATING TO TREATMENT OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER READINESS DES-
IGNATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall develop a system by which any non-De-
partment mental health care provider that meets eli-
gibility criteria established by the Secretary relating 
to the knowledge described in paragraph (2) receives 
a mental health provider readiness designation from 
the Department of Defense. 
(2) KNOWLEDGE
DESCRIBED.—The knowledge 
described in this paragraph is the following: 
(A) Knowledge and understanding with re-
spect to the culture of members of the Armed
303 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
Forces and family members and caregivers of 
members of the Armed Forces. 
(B) Knowledge with respect to evidence- 
based treatments that have been approved by the 
Department for the treatment of mental health 
issues among members of the Armed Forces. 
(b) AVAILABILITY
OF INFORMATION
ON DESIGNA-
TION.— 
(1) REGISTRY.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
establish and update as necessary a registry that is 
available to the public of all non-Department mental 
health care providers that are currently designated 
under subsection (a)(1). 
(2) PROVIDER LIST.—The Secretary shall update 
all lists maintained by the Secretary of non-Depart-
ment mental health care providers that provide men-
tal health care under the laws administered by the 
Secretary by indicating the providers that are cur-
rently designated under subsection (a)(1). 
(c) NON-DEPARTMENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE PRO-
VIDER DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘non-Depart-
ment mental health care provider’’— 
(1) means a health care provider that— 
(A) specializes in mental health;
304 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
(B) is not a health care provider of the De-
partment of Defense; and 
(C) provides health care to members of the 
Armed Forces; and 
(2) includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psy-
chiatric nurses, social workers, mental health coun-
selors, marriage and family therapists, and other 
mental health care providers designated by the Sec-
retary of Defense. 
SEC. 717. LIMITATION ON CONVERSION OF MILITARY MED-
ICAL AND DENTAL POSITIONS TO CIVILIAN 
MEDICAL AND DENTAL POSITIONS. 
(a) LIMITED AUTHORITY FOR CONVERSION.—Chapter 
49 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after section 976 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 977. Conversion of military medical and dental po-
sitions to civilian medical and dental po-
sitions: limitation 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CONVERSION.—A 
military medical or dental position within the Department 
of Defense may not be converted to a civilian medical or 
dental position unless the Secretary of Defense determines 
that— 
‘‘(1) the position is not a military essential posi-
tion;
305 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
‘‘(2) conversion of the position would not result 
in the degradation of medical or dental care or the 
medical or dental readiness of the armed forces; and 
‘‘(3) conversion of the position to a civilian med-
ical or dental position is more cost effective than re-
taining the position as a military medical or dental 
position, consistent with Department of Defense In-
struction 7041.04. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘military medical or dental posi-
tion’ means a position for the performance of health 
care functions within the armed forces held by a 
member of the armed forces. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘civilian medical or dental posi-
tion’ means a position for the performance of health 
care functions within the Department of Defense held 
by an employee of the Department or of a contractor 
of the Department. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘military essential’, with respect 
to a position, means that the position must be held 
by a member of the armed forces, as determined in ac-
cordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘conversion’, with respect to a 
military medical or dental position, means a change 
of the position to a civilian medical or dental posi-
306 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
tion, effective as of the date of the manning authoriza-
tion document of the military department making the 
change (through a change in designation from mili-
tary to civilian in the document, the elimination of 
the listing of the position as a military position in 
the document, or through any other means indicating 
the change in the document or otherwise).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 49 of such title is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 976 the following 
new item: 
‘‘977. Conversion of military medical and dental positions to civilian medical and 
dental positions: limitation.’’. 
(c) REPEAL OF RELATED PROHIBITION.—Section 721 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2008 (10 U.S.C. 129c note) is repealed. 
SEC. 718. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR JOINT DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITY DEM-
ONSTRATION FUND. 
Section 1704(e) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 
2573), as amended by section 722 of the Carl Levin and 
Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291), is
307 
† HR 1735 PAP1S 
further amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2016’’ and in-
serting ‘‘September 30, 2017’’. 
SEC. 719. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR DOD–VA HEALTH 
CARE SHARING INCENTIVE FUND. 
Section 8111(d)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2015’’ and inserting 
‘‘September 30, 2020’’. 
SEC. 720. PILOT PROGRAM ON INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO 
IMPROVE HEALTH CARE PROVIDED UNDER 
THE TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
carry out a pilot program to assess whether a reduction 
in the rate of increase in health care spending by the De-
partment of Defense and an enhancement of the operation 
of the military health system may be achieved by developing 
and implementing value-based incentive programs to en-
courage health care providers under the TRICARE program 
(including physicians, hospitals, and others involved in 
providing health care to patients) to improve the following: 
(1) The quality of health care provided to cov-
ered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program. 
(2) The experience of covered beneficiaries in re-
ceiving health care under the TRICARE program. 
(3) The health of covered beneficiaries. 
(b) INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.—