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retary shall notify each individual designated as a digital 
ambassador of such cessation and that the individual is not 
authorized to act as a digital ambassador of the Navy. 
(b) RESTART.—The Secretary may not restart such 
program until 60 days after the date on which the Secretary 
submits to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a report containing the fol-
lowing: 
(1) All policies and documents of the program. 
(2) The number of digital ambassadors des-
ignated. 
(3) The process and criteria for such designation. 
(4) The duties of a digital ambassador. 
(5) The online platforms (including social 
media) on which an individual is authorized under 
such program to perform duties of a digital ambas-
sador. 
(6) The determination of the Secretary that such 
program complies with applicable laws, regulations, 
and guidance. 
SEC. 599A. REPORT ON MILITARY ONESOURCE. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Rep-
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resentatives a report regarding the Military OneSource pro-
gram of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under this section shall 
include the following elements: 
(1) A history of the program, including origin, 
development, and expansion. 
(2) An accounting of costs to the Federal Govern-
ment to operate the program during fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. 
(3) Use of the program during fiscal years 2019 
through 2023, including— 
(A) the total number of individuals who 
used the program, disaggregated by whether such 
use was through a phone call or the website; 
(B) the number of members of the Armed 
Forces who have used the program, disaggregated 
by Armed Force, race, gender, age, marital sta-
tus, and duty location; and 
(C) the most commonly used services offered 
through the program. 
(4) How records for such usage are kept and pro-
tected. 
(5) A list of all services offered through the pro-
gram. 
(6) The cost of any service to a member. 
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(7) Services to be added to the program. 
(8) Criteria by which services offered through the 
program are added or discontinued. 
SEC. 599B. STUDY ON SERVICE BY NEURODIVERGENT INDI-
VIDUALS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded 
research and development center that meets the criteria de-
scribed in subsection (b), under which such center shall con-
duct a study to— 
(1) evaluate how the Secretary may maximize 
the talent of neurodivergent populations; 
(2) determine the extent to which current policies 
prevent the contributions of neurodivergent popu-
lations in the Department of Defense; and 
(3) develop recommendations for modifying in-
ternal policies and practices of the Department to im-
prove employment of neurodivergent individuals in 
such Department. 
(b) FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT CENTER.—A federally funded research and develop-
ment center described in this subsection is such a center 
that the Secretary determines— 
(1) primarily focus on studies and analysis; 
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(2) has a record of— 
(A) conducting research and analysis using 
a multidisciplinary approach; and 
(B) publishing analyses to inform public 
debate; and 
(3) demonstrated specific competencies in— 
(A) policies regarding military personnel 
and readiness, as applied to the national defense 
strategy; 
(B) personnel assignment policies of the De-
partment of Defense; 
(C) evaluating the practices of the civilian 
workforce in integrating neurodivergent individ-
uals; 
(D) how such practices could be applied to 
the military; and 
(E) military recruitment policies. 
(c) STUDY.—A federally funded research and develop-
ment center that enters into an agreement under subsection 
(a) shall conduct a comprehensive study on the recruitment 
and personnel management of neurodivergent individuals 
who are members of the covered Armed Forces and civilian 
employees of the Department of Defense. Such study shall— 
(1) evaluate the diagnostic procedures of the De-
partment and standards for neurodivergent condi-
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
tions, noting any inconsistencies or areas for im-
provement; 
(2) evaluate how members with neurodivergent 
conditions are currently managed by the Secretaries 
of the military departments, including medical treat-
ments and behavioral strategies; 
(3) evaluate the unique skills and talents that 
neurodivergent individuals can bring to the Depart-
ment of Defense, including in emerging fields like 
cyber operations and intelligence; and 
(4) identify potential challenges or barriers to 
successful inclusion of neurodivergent individuals in 
such Department. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the center that conducts the 
study shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report con-
taining the following: 
(1) The findings of the study under subsection 
(c). 
(2) Recommendations for changes to— 
(A) the medical evaluation process for ini-
tial accessions; and 
(B) evaluations for military occupational 
specialty assignments. 
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
(3) Any additional information determined ap-
propriate regarding the improvement by the Secretary 
of recruitment, 
management, 
and 
retention 
of 
neurodivergent members of the covered Armed Forces 
and civilian employees of the Department of Defense. 
(e) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. 
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND 
OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Basic Pay, Retired Pay, 
and Leave 
SEC. 601. PARENTAL LEAVE PARITY FOR MEMBERS OF CER-
TAIN RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) PARENTAL LEAVE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 40 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 710 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 711. Parental leave for members of certain reserve 
components of the armed forces 
‘‘(a)(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary 
of Defense, a member of a reserve component of the armed 
forces described in subsection (b) is allowed parental leave 
for a duration of up to 12 inactive-duty training periods, 
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
under section 206 of title 37, during the one-year period 
beginning after the following events: 
‘‘(A) the birth or adoption of a child of the member 
and to care for such child; or 
‘‘(B) the placement of a minor child with the member 
for adoption or long-term foster care. 
‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary concerned, under uniform regu-
lations to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, may 
authorized leave described under subparagraph (A) to be 
taken after the one-year period described in subparagraph 
(A) in the case of a member described in subsection (b) who, 
except for this subparagraph, would lose unused parental 
leave at the end of the one-year period described in subpara-
graph (A) as a result of— 
‘‘(i) operational requirements; 
‘‘(ii) professional military education obligations; 
or 
‘‘(iii) other circumstances that the Secretary de-
termines reasonable and appropriate. 
‘‘(B) The regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall 
require that any leave authorized to be taken after the one- 
year period described in subparagraph (A) shall be taken 
within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the 
Secretary of Defense, after cessation of the circumstances 
warranting the extended deadline.; 
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‘‘(b) A member described in this subsection is a mem-
ber of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force who is a member of— 
‘‘(1) the selected reserve who is entitled to com-
pensation under section 206 of title 37; or 
‘‘(2) the individual ready reserve who is entitled 
to compensation under section 206 of title 37 when 
attending or participating in a sufficient number of 
periods of inactive-duty training during a year to 
count the year as a qualifying year of creditable serv-
ice toward eligibility for retired pay.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 40 of such title is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 710 the following new item: 
‘‘711. Parental leave for members of the reserve component of the armed forces.’’. 
(b) COMPENSATION.—Section 206(a) of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended by amending paragraph 
(4) to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) for a regular period of instruction, period 
of appropriate duty, or such other equivalent training 
that a member would be required to perform but does 
not perform because such member was authorized to 
take parental leave pursuant to section 711 of title 
10.’’. 
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(c) CONTRIBUTION OF LEAVE TOWARD ENTITLEMENT 
TO RETIRED PAY.—Section 12732(a)(2)(G) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘12 per period’’ 
and all that follows through the end of the sentence and 
inserting the following: ‘‘1 per inactive-duty training pe-
riod, under section 206 of title 37, during which the member 
is on parental leave under section 711 of this title.’’. 
(d) CREDIT FOR RETIRED PAY PURPOSES.—Section 
602(b) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 
116–283; 10 U.S.C. 12732 note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘maternity 
leave’’ and all that follows through ‘‘birth of a child’’ 
and inserting ‘‘parental leave described in section 
12732(a)(2)(G) of title 10, United States Code, taken 
by a member of the reserve components of the Armed 
Forces’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘maternity 
leave’’ and all that follows through ‘‘childbirth event’’ 
and inserting ‘‘parental leave taken by the member’’; 
and 
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘maternity 
leave’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘parental 
leave’’. 
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(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the amend-
ments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 
2024, and apply with respect to periods of parental leave 
that commence on or after such date. 
SEC. 602. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY 
OF A MILITARY DEPARTMENT TO PAY A MEM-
BER WHO IS ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE OR 
OVER LEAVE FOR SUCH ABSENCE. 
Section 503(a) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘or the Secretary of the military de-
partment concerned determines to pay such pay and allow-
ances’’ before the period at the end. 
SEC. 603. REPORT ON MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM. 
Not later than September 30, 2024, the Secretary of 
Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regard-
ing implementation of the modernized retirement system 
pursuant to amendments in part I of subtitle D of title VI 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2016 (Public Law 114–92). Such report shall include the 
following elements: 
(1) An analysis of data collected on the effects of 
financial literacy training modules, including quan-
tifiable outcomes that assess the effect of financial se-
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curity training for members of the uniformed services 
during fiscal years 2015 through 2023. 
(2) Recommendations of the Secretary regarding 
tools or resources needed for the Secretary to improve 
financial literacy training for our such members. 
Subtitle B—Bonus and Incentive 
Pays 
SEC. 611. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING 
BONUS AND SPECIAL PAY AUTHORITIES. 
(a) AUTHORITIES RELATING TO RESERVE FORCES.— 
Section 910(g) of title 37, United States Code, relating to 
income replacement payments for reserve component mem-
bers experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for ac-
tive duty service, is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2024’’. 
(b) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES RELATING TO HEALTH 
CARE PROFESSIONALS.—The following sections of title 10, 
United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2024’’: 
(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. 
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(c) AUTHORITIES
RELATING
TO
NUCLEAR
OFFI-
CERS.—Section 333(i) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2024’’. 
(d) AUTHORITIES RELATING TO TITLE 37 CONSOLI-
DATED SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AU-
THORITIES.—The following sections of title 37, United 
States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2023’’ 
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2024’’: 
(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 334(i), relating to special aviation 
incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers. 
(4) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and 
incentive pay authorities for officers in health profes-
sions. 
(5) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus 
for cadets and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Re-
serve Officers’ Training Corps. 
(6) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty 
pay. 
(7) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or 
special duty pay. 
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(8) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay 
or proficiency bonus. 
(9) Section 355(h), relating to retention incen-
tives for members qualified in critical military skills 
or assigned to high priority units. 
(e) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY INCREASE IN 
RATES
OF BASIC ALLOWANCE
FOR HOUSING.—Section 
403(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (7)(E), relating to an area cov-
ered by a major disaster declaration or containing an 
installation experiencing an influx of military per-
sonnel, by striking ‘‘December 31, 2023’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2024’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (8)(C), relating to an area 
where actual housing costs differ from current rates 
by more than 20 percent, by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2024’’. 
SEC. 612. AUTHORIZATION OF MONTHLY BONUS PAY FOR A 
JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERV-
ICES DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2024. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Beginning on January 1, 2024, 
if the Secretary concerned determines that prevailing eco-
nomic conditions may adversely affect an eligible member, 
the Secretary concerned may pay a monthly bonus to each 
eligible member. 
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(b) AMOUNT OF PAY.—Each bonus payment under this 
section shall be in an amount equal to a percentage, deter-
mined by the Secretary concerned, of the rate— 
(1) in effect on December 31, 2023; and 
(2) of, for an eligible member— 
(A) pay under section 204 of title 37, 
United States Code; or 
(B) compensation under section 206 of title 
37, United States Code. 
(c) RELATIONSHIP
TO OTHER PAY
AND ALLOW-
ANCES.—Bonus pay paid to an eligible member under this 
section is in addition to any other pay and allowances to 
which the eligible member is entitled. 
(d) TERMINATION.—No bonus may be paid under this 
section after December 31, 2024. 
(e) ELIGIBLE MEMBER DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘eligible member’’ means a member of the uniformed 
services who— 
(1) is entitled to pay or compensation described 
in subsection (b)(2); and 
(2) is in a grade below E-6. 
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SEC. 613. DETERMINATION OF COLD WEATHER LOCATION 
FOR PURPOSES OF ASSIGNMENT OR SPECIAL 
DUTY PAY. 
For purposes of assignment or special duty pay under 
section 352 of title 37, United States Code, the Secretary 
concerned shall determine that a duty station is a cold 
weather location if, at such duty station, a member of the 
uniformed services receives training in— 
(1) mountaineering; 
(2) proficiency in an alpine environment; or 
(3) proficiency in a cold weather environment. 
Subtitle C—Allowances 
SEC. 621. BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE: EXCLUSION OF BASIC 
ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING FROM THE CAL-
CULATION OF GROSS HOUSEHOLD INCOME 
OF AN ELIGIBLE MEMBER OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
Section 402b(k)(1)(B) of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘in the case’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘portion of’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘that the Secretary concerned 
elects to exclude’’ and inserting ‘‘paid to such mem-
ber’’. 
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SEC. 622. IMPROVED CALCULATION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE 
FOR HOUSING FOR JUNIOR ENLISTED MEM-
BERS. 
Section 403 of title 37, United States Code, is amend-
ed, in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘and shall be based’’ 
and all that follows and inserting a period. 
SEC. 623. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF A COMMANDING 
OFFICER TO AUTHORIZE A BASIC ALLOW-
ANCE FOR HOUSING FOR A MEMBER PER-
FORMING INITIAL FIELD OR SEA DUTY. 
Section 403 of title 37, United States Code, as amend-
ed by section 622, is further amended, in subsection (f)— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘certifies that the member 
was necessarily required to procure quarters at 
the member’s expense.’’ and inserting an em 
dash; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraphs: 
‘‘(A) certifies that the member was required to 
procure housing at the member’s expense; or 
‘‘(B) determines that quarters at the duty station 
or in the field environment are inadequate or an im-
pediment to morale, good order, or discipline.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)(B)— 
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Secretary may author-
ize’’ and inserting ‘‘a commanding officer may 
authorize’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘who is serving in pay 
grade E–4 or E–5’’ and inserting ‘‘who is serv-
ing in a pay grade below E-6’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘members serving in pay 
grades E-4 and E-5’’ and inserting ‘‘such mem-
bers. In authorizing an allowance under this 
subparagraph, the commanding officer shall con-
sider the availability of quarters for the member 
and whether such quarters are inadequate or an 
impediment to morale, good order, or dis-
cipline’’. 
SEC. 624. DUAL BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING FOR 
TRAINING. 
Section 403 of title 37, United States Code, as amend-
ed by sections 622 and 623, is further amended, in sub-
section (g)(3), by striking ‘‘Paragraphs’’ and inserting ‘‘Ex-
cept in the case of a member of a reserve component without 
dependents who is called or ordered to active duty to attend 
training for at least 140 days but fewer than 365 days, 
paragraphs’’. 
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SEC. 625. BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING: PILOT PRO-
GRAM TO OUTSOURCE RATE CALCULATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 2024, 
the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agree-
ment with a covered entity pursuant to which the covered 
entity shall calculate, using industry-standard machine 
learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, the monthly 
rates of BAH for not fewer than 15 MHAs. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report containing the evaluation of the 
Secretary of the rates calculated by a covered entity pursu-
ant to an agreement under subsection (a). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘BAH’’ means the basic allowance 
for housing for members of the uniformed services 
under section 403 of title 37, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered entity’’ means a nation-
ally recognized entity in the field of commercial real 
estate that has data on local rental rates in real estate 
markets across the United States. 
(3) The term ‘‘MHA’’ means military housing 
area. 
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SEC. 626. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING FOR 
MILITARY PERSONNEL IN GUAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall seek 
to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research 
and development center for an independent assessment of 
housing of military personnel assigned to duty stations in 
Guam. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—An assessment under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A survey of the housing needs for current and 
future military personnel to be stationed in Guam, 
accommodating the varying needs of single and mar-
ried members of the Armed Forces at various stages 
of their careers. 
(2) Possible options for the Secretary to build 
new housing to accommodate future service members 
and resolve existing housing shortages. 
(3) Possible strategies for the Secretary to miti-
gate the impact of military personnel on the local 
housing supply in Guam. 
(c) REPORT.—An entity that enters into an agreement 
to conduct the assessment described in subsection (a) shall 
submit to the Secretary and the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
containing the findings of the assessment not later than De-
cember 31, 2024. 
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SEC. 627. BRIEFINGS ON PILOT PROGRAM ON HIRING OF 
SPECIAL NEEDS INCLUSION COORDINATORS 
FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CHILD DE-
VELOPMENT CENTERS. 
Section 576(d) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 
1792 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); and 
(2) by inserting, after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) BRIEFINGS ON IMPLEMENTATION.—Begin-
ning on January 31, 2024, until the termination of 
the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall pro-
vide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Sen-
ate and the House of Representatives a quarterly 
briefing on the implementation of the pilot program. 
Each such briefing shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) The process for selecting child develop-
ment centers under subsection (b). 
‘‘(B) How a special needs inclusion coordi-
nator hired under the pilot program coordinates 
with the head of the child development center 
concerned and the commander of the military in-
stallation concerned. 
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
‘‘(C) How many special needs inclusion co-
ordinators have been hired under the pilot pro-
gram.’’. 
Subtitle D—Family Readiness and 
Survivor Benefits 
SEC. 631. MODIFICATIONS TO TRANSITIONAL COMPENSA-
TION FOR DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS SEPA-
RATED FOR DEPENDENT ABUSE. 
(a) COVERED PUNITIVE ACTIONS.—Section 1059 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended, in subsection 
(b)— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(3) who is— 
‘‘(A) convicted of a dependent-abuse offense 
in a district court of the United States or a 
State court; and 
‘‘(B) separated from active duty pursuant 
to a sentence of a court-martial, or administra-
tively separated, voluntarily or involuntarily, 
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from active duty, for an offense other than the 
dependent-abuse offense; or 
‘‘(4) who is— 
‘‘(A) accused but not convicted of a depend-
ent-abuse offense; 
‘‘(B) determined, as a result of a review by 
the commander of the member and based on a 
preponderance of evidence, to have committed the 
dependent-abuse offense; and 
‘‘(C) required to forfeit all pay and allow-
ances pursuant to a sentence of a court-martial 
for an offense other than the dependent-abuse of-
fense.’’. 
(b) RECIPIENTS
OF PAYMENTS.—Subsection (d) of 
such section is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘resulting in 
the separation’’ and inserting ‘‘referred to in sub-
section (b)’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘determined as of the date’’ 
and inserting ‘‘determined— 
‘‘(A) as of the date’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘offense or, in a case’’ and 
inserting ‘‘offense— 
‘‘(B) in a case’’. 
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(C) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) in a case described in subsection 
(b)(4), as of, as applicable— 
‘‘(i) the first date on which the indi-
vidual is held in pretrial confinement relat-
ing to the dependent-abuse offense of which 
the individual is accused after the 7-day re-
view of pretrial confinement required by 
Rule 305(i)(2) of the Rules for Courts-Mar-
tial; or 
‘‘(ii) the date on which a review by a 
commander of the individual determines 
there is probable cause that the individual 
has committed that offense.’’. 
(c) COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT.—Subsection (e)(1) 
of such section is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
inserting after ‘‘offense’’ the following: ‘‘or an of-
fense described in subsection (b)(3)(B)’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
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(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(if the basis’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘offense)’’; and 
(B) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’ ; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(C) in the case of a member described in sub-
section (b)(4), shall commence as of, as applicable— 
‘‘(i) the first date on which the member is 
held in pretrial confinement relating to the de-
pendent-abuse offense of which the member is ac-
cused after the 7-day review of pretrial confine-
ment required by Rule 305(i)(2) of the Rules for 
Courts-Martial; or 
‘‘(ii) the date on which a review by a com-
mander of the member determines there is prob-
able cause that the member has committed that 
offense.’’. 
(d) DEFINITION OF DEPENDENT CHILD.—Subsection 
(l) of such section is amended, in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1)— 
(1) by striking ‘‘resulting in the separation of 
the former member or’’ and inserting ‘‘referred to in 
subsection (b) or’’; and 
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(2) by striking ‘‘resulting in the separation of 
the former member and’’ and inserting ‘‘and’’. 
(e) DELEGATION OF DETERMINATIONS RELATING TO 
EXCEPTIONAL ELIGIBILITY.—Paragraph (4) of subsection 
(m) of such section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) The Secretary concerned may delegate the author-
ity under paragraph (1) to the first general or flag officer 
(or civilian equivalent) in the chain of command of the 
member.’’. 
SEC. 632. LODGING EXPENSES FOR DEPENDENTS OF MEM-
BERS SEPARATED FOR DEPENDENT ABUSE. 
Section 1059 of title 10, United States Code, as amend-
ed by section 631, is further amended— 
(1) in the heading, by adding ‘‘; lodging ex-
penses’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (k), (l), and (m) 
as subsections (m), (n), and (l), respectively; 
(3) by striking ‘‘subsection (k)’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘subsection (m)’’; and 
(4) by inserting, after subsection (j), the fol-
lowing new subsection (k): 
‘‘(k) LODGING EXPENSES.—A dependent or former de-
pendent entitled to payment of monthly transitional com-
pensation under this section shall, while receiving payments 
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in accordance with this section, be entitled to lodging ex-
penses for a period not longer than 30 days.’’. 
SEC. 633. ACCESS TO COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE PRIVI-
LEGES 
FOR 
REMARRIED 
SURVIVING 
SPOUSES. 
Section 1062 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary of Defense’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) CERTAIN UNREMARRIED FORMER SPOUSES.— 
The Secretary of Defense’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘commissary and exchange privi-
leges’’ and inserting ‘‘use commissary stores and 
MWR retail facilities’’; 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) CERTAIN REMARRIED SURVIVING SPOUSES.—The 
Secretary of Defense shall prescribe such regulations as may 
be necessary to provide that a surviving spouse of a deceased 
member of the armed forces, regardless of the marital status 
of the surviving spouse, is entitled to use commissary stores 
and MWR retail facilities to the same extent and on the 
same basis as an unremarried surviving spouse of a member 
of the uniformed services.’’; and 
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(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) MWR RETAIL FACILITIES DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘MWR retail facilities’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 1063 of this title.’’. 
SEC. 634. AUTHORITY FOR PEER MENTORING PROGRAM 
FOR MILITARY DEPENDENTS. 
Subchapter I of chapter 88 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 1788a the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 1788b. Authority for peer mentoring program 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Defense may 
carry out a peer mentoring program for dependents of mem-
bers. Under such program, a mentor shall seek to meet with 
a mentee once per month to discuss challenges for military 
families. 
‘‘(b) TRAINING.—A dependent who elects to serve as 
a mentor in such a program shall receive training from 
a mental health care provider.’’. 
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SEC. 635. EXPANSION OF QUALIFYING EVENTS FOR WHICH 
A MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 
MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR SPOUSAL RELI-
CENSING OR BUSINESS COSTS DUE TO THE 
MEMBER’S RELOCATION. 
Section 453(g) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking the subsection heading and in-
serting ‘‘REIMBURSEMENT
OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE 
RELICENSING COSTS AND BUSINESS COSTS’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘or qualified business costs’’ and 
inserting ‘‘and qualified business costs’’; 
(B) by amending subparagraph (A) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(A) the member relocates to a new jurisdiction 
or geographic area as the result of— 
‘‘(i) an assignment to a duty station; 
‘‘(ii) a reassignment, either as a result of a 
permanent change of station or permanent 
change of assignment, between duty stations; 
‘‘(iii) a transfer from a regular component 
of a uniformed service into the Selected Reserve 
of the Ready Reserve of a uniformed service, if 
the member is authorized a final move from the 
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last duty station to the new jurisdiction or geo-
graphic area; or 
‘‘(iv) placement on the temporary disability 
retired list under chapter 61 of title 10; and’’; 
and 
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘reas-
signment’’ and inserting ‘‘relocation’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘reassignment’’ 
both places it appears and inserting ‘‘relocation’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘movement described in’’ and all that follows 
through the semicolon and inserting ‘‘the mem-
ber’s relocation described in paragraph (1);’’; 
and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘reas-
signment’’ and inserting ‘‘relocation’’; and 
(5) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘movement described in’’ and all that follows 
through the semicolon and inserting ‘‘the mem-
ber’s relocation described in paragraph (1);’’; 
and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘reas-
signment’’ and inserting ‘‘relocation’’. 
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SEC. 636. STUDENT LOAN DEFERMENT FOR DISLOCATED 
MILITARY SPOUSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 455(f) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) DEFERMENT
FOR
DISLOCATED
MILITARY 
SPOUSES.— 
‘‘(A) DURATION AND EFFECT ON PRINCIPAL 
AND
INTEREST.—A borrower of a loan made 
under this part who meets the requirements of 
subparagraph (B) shall be eligible for a 
deferment for an aggregate period of 180 days, 
during which periodic installments of principal 
need not be paid, and interest— 
‘‘(i) shall not accrue, in the case of a— 
‘‘(I) Federal Direct Stafford Loan; 
or 
‘‘(II) a Federal Direct Consolida-
tion Loan that consolidated only Fed-
eral Direct Stafford Loans, or a com-
bination of such loans and Federal 
Stafford Loans for which the student 
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borrower received an interest subsidy 
under section 428; or 
‘‘(ii) shall accrue and be capitalized or 
paid by the borrower, in the case of a Fed-
eral Direct PLUS Loan, a Federal Direct 
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a Federal 
Direct Consolidation Loan not described in 
clause (i)(II). 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBILITY.—A borrower of a loan 
made under this part shall be eligible for a 
deferment under subparagraph (A) if the bor-
rower— 
‘‘(i) is the spouse of a member of the 
Armed Forces serving on active duty; and 
‘‘(ii) has experienced a loss of employ-
ment as a result of relocation to accommo-
date a permanent change in duty station of 
such member. 
‘‘(C) DOCUMENTATION AND APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A borrower may es-
tablish eligibility for a deferment under sub-
paragraph (A) by providing to the Sec-
retary— 
‘‘(I) the documentation described 
in clause (ii); or 
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‘‘(II) such other documentation as 
the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(ii) 
DOCUMENTATION.—The 
docu-
mentation described in this clause is— 
‘‘(I) evidence that the borrower is 
the spouse of a member of the Armed 
Forces serving on active duty; 
‘‘(II) evidence that a military 
permanent change of station order was 
issued to such member; and 
‘‘(III)(aa) evidence that the bor-
rower is eligible for unemployment 
benefits due to a loss of employment re-
sulting from relocation to accommodate 
such permanent change in duty sta-
tion; or 
‘‘(bb) a written certification, or 
an equivalent as approved by the Sec-
retary, that the borrower is registered 
with a public or private employment 
agency due to a loss of employment re-
sulting from relocation to accommodate 
such permanent change in duty sta-
tion.’’. 
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 637. GRANTS TO ASSIST CAREGIVERS IN MILITARY 
FAMILIES. 
(a) GRANTS.—Subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall 
award grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to support 
demonstration projects focused on addressing the challenges 
and alleviating the burdens faced by caregivers in military 
families. 
(1) AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall award such 
grants in amounts of not more than $1,500,000. 
(2) DURATION.—The Secretary shall award such 
grants for periods of three years and not more than 
$500,000 per year. 
(b) ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.—To be eli-
gible to receive an award under this section, an eligible non-
profit organization shall— 
(1) be a 501(c)(3) organization under the United 
States Internal Revenue Code at the time of the enact-
ment of this Act; 
(2) have a demonstrated capacity, through an ex-
isting data platform or other ongoing data collection 
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efforts, to effectively capture data for the purposes of 
informing program implementation and monitoring 
program effectiveness; and 
(3) have a demonstrated history and expertise in 
the provision of educational, health, or social support 
services specific to caregivers. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible nonprofit organiza-
tion shall use amounts received from an award under this 
section to provide at least one of the following activities: 
(1) Best-practice training for caregivers in mili-
tary families focused on self-care and education re-
lated to family members’ conditions, collaboration 
with clinical health providers, and financial literacy. 
(2) Reference and liaison services connecting 
caregivers in military families to Department of De-
fense resources, and to other Federal resources and 
programs for which they or their family members 
may qualify. 
(3) Organization and facilitation of peer-support 
networks designed to connect caregivers in military 
families with each-other as part of directed mental 
and behavioral health therapy. 
(4) Development of pilot programs to identify 
and assess the impact of innovative ideas intended to 
support caregivers in military families. 
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(5) Capacity building to expand existing evi-
dence-based programs, tailor existing programs to 
support the unique needs of caregivers in military 
families, or evaluate the effectiveness of existing pro-
grams in supporting caregivers in military families. 
(d) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a qualified nonprofit organization shall 
submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Sec-
retary may require, including information describing in de-
tail the services that the applicant will use grant funds to 
provide for caregivers in military families. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘caregiver in a military family’’ 
shall refer to a member of the uniformed services in 
an active status, or the dependent of such a member, 
who is a caregiver for a family member. 
(2) The terms ‘‘active status’’ and ‘‘uniformed 
services’’ have the meanings given such terms in sec-
tion 101 of title 10, United States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘caregiver’’ means an adult family 
member or a dependent who has a significant rela-
tionship with, and who provides a broad range of as-
sistance to, an individual with a chronic or other 
health condition, disability, or functional limitation. 
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(4) The term ‘‘dependent’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 1072 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(5) The term ‘‘family member’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1720G of title 38, United 
States Code with regards to a member of the uni-
formed services in an active status, or the dependent 
of such a member. 
SEC. 638. MYSTEP: PROVISION ONLINE AND IN MULTIPLE 
LANGUAGES. 
The Secretary concerned may provide all services of 
the Military Spouse Transition Program (commonly re-
ferred to as ‘‘MySTeP’’) online and in English, Spanish, 
Tagalog, and the rest of the 10 most commonly spoken lan-
guages in the United States. 
Subtitle E—Child Care 
SEC. 641. INCREASE IN THE TARGET FUNDING LEVEL FOR 
MILITARY CHILD CARE. 
Section 1791 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed, in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘115 percent of’’ after 
‘‘not less than’’. 
SEC. 642. RECURRING REVIEW AND REVISION OF PAY FOR 
MILITARY CHILD CARE EMPLOYEES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subsection (c) of section 1792 
of title 10, United States Code is amended— 
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(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘For the purpose’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph (2): 
‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary of Defense shall review 
and revise the pay scale for child care employees not 
less than once every five years. 
‘‘(B) In conducting a review under subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall consider factors includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) the pay scale for employees of the De-
partment of Defense Education Activity with 
similar training, seniority, and experience to 
that of child care employees; 
‘‘(ii) the rates of compensation paid to em-
ployees of the local educational agency with 
similar training, seniority, and experience to 
that of child care employees; 
‘‘(iii) the value of the care provided by child 
care employees, in the short and long term, to the 
children cared for, their families, and the armed 
forces; and 
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‘‘(iv) any other factor the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate.’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
carry out the first review and revision under paragraph 
(2) of such subsection, as added by this section, not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) REPORT.—When the Secretary of Defense conducts 
the second review and revision under such paragraph (2), 
the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense com-
mittees a report assessing how the first such revision af-
fected— 
(1) the hiring and retention of child care em-
ployees; and 
(2) the quality of care at military child develop-
ment centers. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘child 
care employee’’ and ‘‘military child development center’’ 
have the meanings given such terms in section 1800 of title 
10, United States Code. 
SEC. 643. DISCOUNTED CHILD CARE FOR CHILD CARE EM-
PLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 1793(d) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘, a reduced fee for such attend-
ance.’’ and inserting an em dash; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(1) no fee for the first such child under the age 
of 13; 
‘‘(2) not more than 50 percent of the amount of 
the fee otherwise chargeable for such attendance of the 
second such child under the age of 13; and 
‘‘(3) a reduced fee for each subsequent child.’’. 
SEC. 644. EXPANSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FI-
NANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES FOR IN-HOME CHILD CARE. 
Section 589(b)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283) is amended— 
(1) by striking the period at the end and insert-
ing ‘‘, and in the following locations:’’ 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(A) Fort Drum, New York. 
‘‘(B) Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. 
‘‘(C) Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. 
‘‘(D) Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 
Twentynine Palms, California.’’. 
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SEC. 645. WAIT TIMES FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES PRO-
VIDED THROUGH MILITARY CHILD DEVELOP-
MENT CENTERS: PUBLICATION; FEASIBILITY 
OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT. 
(a) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall publish and maintain, on a website of the Department 
of Defense that is accessible by members of the Armed 
Forces, waiting lists for child care services at military child 
development centers. 
(b) ESTIMATES.—On the website described in sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall publish a tool that uses data 
collected by the Secretary to estimate how long a member 
assigned to serve at a military installation will wait before 
receiving child care services at the military child develop-
ment center of such military installation. 
(c) FEASIBILITY REPORT.—Not later than March 30, 
2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives 
a report regarding the feasibility of implementing the busi-
ness management system of the Child and Youth Programs 
of the Department of the Air Force for all military depart-
ments in order to increase member satisfaction by improv-
ing communication with members on such waiting lists and 
facilitating payments and paperwork for such child care 
services. 
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(d) MILITARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘military child develop-
ment center’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
1800 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 646. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF CHILD CARE ON READI-
NESS AND RETENTION. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC 
described in subsection (b), under which such FFRDC shall 
conduct a study on the effects of child care for members 
of the covered Armed Forces and civilian employees of the 
Department of Defense on readiness and retention in the 
covered Armed Forces. Such a study shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) The effects of the availability, affordability, 
and quality of such child care on— 
(A) unit readiness and retention; 
(B) the ability of such members and em-
ployees to perform their duties; 
(C) the quality of the performance of such 
duties; and 
(D) the job satisfaction of such members 
and employees. 
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(2) Other matters regarding the availability, af-
fordability, and quality of such child care that the 
FFRDC determines appropriate. 
(b) FFRDC.—An FFRDC described in this subsection 
is an FFRDC that the Secretary of Defense determines— 
(1) primarily focuses on studies and analysis; 
(2) has a record of— 
(A) conducting research and analysis using 
a multidisciplinary approach; and 
(B) publishing analyses to inform public 
debate; and 
(3) has demonstrated specific competencies in 
policies regarding military personnel and readiness, 
as applied to the national defense strategy. 
(c) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than six months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, an FFRDC that enters 
into an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the 
Secretary of Defense and the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and House of Representatives an interim re-
port. Such report shall include the following: 
(1) A progress report on the study. 
(2) Interim findings of the study. 
(d) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 15 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, an FFRDC that enters 
into an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the 
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Secretary of Defense and the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a final report. 
Such final report shall include the following: 
(1) The findings of the study. 
(2) Strategies to remedy deficiencies in child 
care described in subsection (a), and the timelines 
and costs to implement such strategies. 
(3) Incidents that affect unit readiness and re-
tention. 
(4) Other information the FFRDC determines 
appropriate regarding the effects of such child care on 
readiness and retention in the covered Armed Forces. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(2) The term ‘‘FFRDC’’ means a federally fund-
ed research and development center. 
Subtitle F—Dependent Education 
SEC. 651. RIGHTS OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN ATTENDING 
SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY. 
Chapter 108 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by inserting after section 2164 the following new section: 
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‘‘(9) The right to information about any plans 
to eliminate gifted and talented programs or acceler-
ated coursework at the school. 
‘‘(b) DISCLOSURES AND NOTIFICATIONS.—Consistent 
with the parental rights specified in subsection (a), a school 
operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity 
shall— 
‘‘(1) post on a publicly accessible website of the 
school— 
‘‘(A) the curriculum for each course and 
grade level; 
‘‘(B) the academic standards or other learn-
ing benchmarks used by the school; 
‘‘(C) notice of any proposed revisions to 
such standards or benchmarks and a copy of any 
such revisions; 
‘‘(D) the budget for the school year, includ-
ing all revenues and expenditures (including ex-
penditures made for items and services provided 
by private entities); and 
‘‘(2) provide the parents of a child attending the 
school with— 
‘‘(A) the opportunity to meet in-person with 
each teacher of their child not less frequently 
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than twice during each school year at a time 
mutually agreed upon by both parties; and 
‘‘(B) notice of such opportunity at the be-
ginning of each school year; 
‘‘(3) make all instructional and educator profes-
sional development materials, including teachers’ 
manuals, films, tapes, books or other reading mate-
rials, or other supplementary materials used in any 
survey, analysis, or evaluation, available for inspec-
tion by the parents of children attending the school; 
‘‘(4) at the beginning of each school year, provide 
parents a list of reading materials in the school li-
brary, including a list of any reading materials that 
were added to or removed from the list of materials 
from the prior year; 
‘‘(5) notify parents in a timely manner of any 
plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs or 
accelerated coursework at the school; 
‘‘(6) except as provided in paragraph (7), notify 
parents of any medical examinations or screenings 
the school may administer to their child and receive 
written consent from parents for any such examina-
tion or screening prior to conducting the examination 
or screening; 
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‘‘(7) in the event of an emergency that requires 
a medical examination or screening without time for 
parental notification, promptly notify parents of such 
examination or screening and, not later than 24 
hours after the incident occurs, provide an expla-
nation of the emergency that prevented notification 
prior to such examination or screening; 
‘‘(8) notify parents of any medical information 
that will be collected on their child, receive written 
parental consent prior to collecting such information, 
and provide parents an opportunity to inspect such 
information at the parent’s request; and 
‘‘(9) notify parents of any policy changes involv-
ing their reporting obligations under the Family Ad-
vocacy Program of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(c) SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND BOARDS.— 
Not less frequently than four times per year, a school advi-
sory committee or school board for a school operated by the 
Department of Defense Education Activity shall provide 
parents of children attending the school with the oppor-
tunity to address the advisory committee or school board 
on any matters relating to the school or the educational 
services provided to their children. 
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‘‘(d) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘school op-
erated by the Department of Defense Education Activity’ 
means— 
‘‘(1) a Department of Defense domestic depend-
ent elementary or secondary school, as described in 
section 2164 of this title; or 
‘‘(2) any elementary or secondary school or pro-
gram for dependents operated by the Department of 
Defense Education Activity.’’. 
SEC. 652. CERTAIN ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL 
AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL. 
(a) CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST LOCAL 
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.—Of the amount author-
ized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2024 by section 301 
and available for operation and maintenance for Defense- 
wide activities as specified in the funding table in section 
4301, $50,000,000 shall be available only for the purpose 
of providing assistance to local educational agencies under 
subsection (a) of section 572 of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 20 
U.S.C. 7703b). 
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(b) IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DIS-
ABILITIES.—Of the amount authorized to be appropriated 
for fiscal year 2024 pursuant to section 301 and available 
for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities 
as specified in the funding table in section 4301, 
$20,000,000 shall be available for payments under section 
363 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by Public 
Law 106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A–77; 20 U.S.C. 7703a). 
(c) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the mean-
ing given that term in section 7013(9) of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7713(9)). 
SEC. 653. VERIFICATION OF REPORTING OF ELIGIBLE FED-
ERALLY CONNECTED CHILDREN FOR PUR-
POSES OF FEDERAL IMPACT AID PROGRAMS. 
(a) CERTIFICATION.—On an annual basis, each com-
mander of a military installation under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of a military department shall submit to such 
Secretary a written certification verifying whether the com-
mander has confirmed the information contained in all im-
pact aid source check forms received from local educational 
agencies as of the date of such certification. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later June 30 of each year, each 
Secretary of a military department shall submit to the con-
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gressional defense committees a report, based on the infor-
mation received under subsection (a), that identifies— 
(1) each military installation under the jurisdic-
tion of such Secretary that has confirmed the infor-
mation contained in all impact aid source check 
forms received from local educational agencies as of 
the date of the report; and 
(2) each military installation that has not con-
firmed the information contained in such forms as of 
such date. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘impact aid source check form’’ 
means a form submitted to the Department of Defense 
by a local educational agency to verify information 
relating to eligible federally connected children count-
ed for purposes of the Federal impact aid program 
under section 7003 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7703). 
(2) The term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the 
meaning given that term section 8101 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7801). 
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SEC. 654. FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS 
OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, acting 
through the Director of the Department of Defense Edu-
cation Activity, shall require that each student of a high 
school operated by the Activity complete a dedicated course 
of instruction in financial literacy as a prerequisite to 
graduating from such school. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The graduation requirement 
under subsection (a) shall apply with respect to students 
of high schools operated by the Department of Defense Edu-
cation Activity beginning with the cohort of students who 
enter ninth grade in the first school year that begins one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the term ‘‘high 
school’’ has the meaning given that term in section 8101 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801). 
SEC. 655. PILOT PROGRAM FOR ROUTINE MENTAL HEALTH 
CHECK-UPS IN SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION AC-
TIVITY. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Beginning in the 
first academic year to begin after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish and im-
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plement a pilot program (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘Pilot’’) to provide routine metal health check-ups for stu-
dents in covered DODEA schools. 
(b) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
Pilot in not fewer than five covered DODEA schools, one 
of which shall be located outside the United States. 
(c) ACTIVITIES.—Under the Pilot, the Secretary 
shall— 
(1) subject to subsection (e), ensure that students 
at covered DODEA schools receive routine mental 
health check-ups, which may include the use of mental 
health screening tools, such as the Patient Health 
Questionnaire-2 or the Patient Health Questionnaire- 
9; 
(2) ensure that such mental health check-ups— 
(A) consist of biannual or semesterly mental 
and behavioral health screenings for disorders 
common in children aged 3-17, including— 
(i) an initial virtual screening test for 
all students; and 
(ii) a follow-up screening carried out 
by a school psychologist or school nurse for 
students with specific needs identified 
through the initial screening; and 
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(B) include questions about a student’s 
mood and emotional state; 
(3) train licensed mental and behavioral health 
professionals to conduct mental health check-ups, in-
cluding training in— 
(A) recognizing the signs and symptoms of 
mental illnesses; and 
(B) safely de-escalating crises involving in-
dividuals with a mental illness; 
(4) establish a streamlined diagnosis-to-treat-
ment process, including a comprehensive process 
through which a student with needs identified through 
a mental health check-up— 
(A) may be referred to certified community 
behavioral health clinic in the community in 
which the school is located; and 
(B) may receive additional care or treat-
ment through comprehensive school-based serv-
ices; 
(5) mobilize school nurses and counselors to fa-
cilitate screening in collaboration with administrators 
and teachers; 
(6) conduct awareness-building educational ef-
forts in conjunction with the screening process; 
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(7) implement a robust school-based and tele-
health support system (including options for indi-
vidual or group therapy) for students seeking support 
after diagnosis; and 
(8) make resources available to the communities 
surrounding schools for individuals with a mental ill-
ness through a coordinated referral process with local 
community-based health clinics and school-based men-
tal health clinics if such school-based mental health 
clinics are available and have the capacity and exper-
tise to handle complex mental health situations. 
(d) REFERRAL PROCESS REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) AGREEMENTS
WITH
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH 
CLINICS.—For purposes of the comprehensive referral 
process described in subsection (c)(4), the Secretary of 
Defense shall seek to enter into memoranda of under-
standing or other agreements with Federally-funded 
community behavioral health clinics in communities 
in which covered DODEA schools are located pursu-
ant to which a school may refer students to such a 
clinic. The requirement to establish such a referral 
process may not be satisfied solely by providing a list 
of nearby community behavioral health clinics to par-
ents of students at covered DODEA schools. 
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(2) EXCEPTION.—In a case in which the Sec-
retary of Defense is unable to meet the requirements 
of paragraph (1) because there is no Federally-funded 
community behavioral health clinic in a community 
in which a covered DODEA school is located, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall develop and make available a 
comprehensive guide to the mental health resources 
that are available to students and parents in that 
community. 
(e) STUDENT PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.—In carrying 
out the Pilot, the Secretary shall ensure that a parent or 
guardian of a student at a covered DODEA school— 
(1) is provided with— 
(A) notice that a student may receive a 
mental health check-up under the Pilot; 
(B) an opportunity to opt the student out 
of any such mental health check-up before it is 
administered; and 
(C) a copy of the results of each mental 
health check-up for such student; and 
(2) gives informed consent before— 
(A) the referral of a student to a commu-
nity-based health clinic as described in sub-
section (b)(4)(A); or 
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(B) the disclosure of any information con-
cerning such student to such a clinic. 
(f) EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after com-
mencing the Pilot, and not less frequently than every 180 
days thereafter until termination of the Pilot, the Secretary 
of Defense shall conduct an evaluation of the Pilot, which 
shall include evaluation of— 
(1) Pilot processes; and 
(2) student outcomes under the Pilot. 
(g) TERMINATION.—The Pilot shall terminate after 
two academic years. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than one year after termi-
nation of the Pilot, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report on the Pilot. The report 
shall include— 
(1) the results of the evaluations conducted under 
subsection (f); 
(2) the recommendation of the Secretary whether 
to make the Pilot permanent; and 
(3) such other information as the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘certified community behavioral 
health clinic’’ means a certified community behav-
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ioral health clinic as such term is used in section 223 
of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (42 
U.S.C. 1396a note). 
(2) The term ‘‘covered DODEA school’’ means an 
elementary school or secondary school— 
(A) operated by the Department of Defense 
Education Activity within or outside the United 
States; and 
(B) selected by the Secretary to participate 
in the Pilot. 
(3) The terms ‘‘elementary school’’ and ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ have the meanings given those terms 
in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
SEC. 656. BRIEFINGS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL 
PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS 
OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY. 
(a) QUARTERLY BRIEFINGS REQUIRED.—Not later 
than January 30, 2024, and on a quarterly basis thereafter 
until December 31, 2029, the Secretary of Defense shall sub-
mit to the committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a briefing on the progress of 
the Secretary in implementing universal pre-kindergarten 
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programs in schools operated by the Department of Defense 
Education Activity. 
(b) CONTENTS
OF INITIAL BRIEFING.—The initial 
briefing under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) identification of all locations under the juris-
diction of the Department of Defense at which uni-
versal pre-kindergarten programs and child develop-
ment centers are co-located; and 
(2) an estimate of the number of children ex-
pected to transfer from child development centers to 
pre-kindergarten programs as a result of such pro-
grams being offered. 
(c) CONTENTS
OF SUBSEQUENT BRIEFINGS.—Fol-
lowing the initial briefing under subsection (a), each subse-
quent briefing shall include— 
(1) the total anticipated costs of funding uni-
versal pre-kindergarten programs in schools operated 
by the Department of Defense Education Activity; 
(2) the estimated differential between the cost of 
caring for a child in a child development center 
versus the cost of a child’s participation in a pre-kin-
dergarten program; 
(3) the estimated differential between the costs of 
employing caregivers in child development centers 
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versus the costs of employing teachers in pre-kinder-
garten programs; 
(4) the child-to-caregiver ratio requirements for 
child development centers versus the child-to-teacher 
ratio requirements for pre-kindergarten programs; 
(5) a needs assessment of facilities for universal 
pre-kindergarten programs based on anticipated ca-
pacity; 
(6) an assessment of the availability of teachers 
for pre-kindergarten programs; and 
(7) an indication of whether, and to what extent, 
members of the Armed Forces have expressed a pref-
erence for enrolling their children in pre-kindergarten 
programs rather than continuing care for such chil-
dren in child development centers. 
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE 
PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other 
Health Benefits 
SEC. 701. TRICARE DENTAL PLAN FOR THE SELECTED RE-
SERVE. 
Section 1076a of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
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(i) in the header, by striking ‘‘selected 
reserve and’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘for members of the Se-
lected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the header, by in-
serting ‘‘Individual Ready’’ after ‘‘other’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(5) PLAN FOR SELECTED RESERVE.—A dental 
benefits plan for members of the Selected Reserve of 
the Ready Reserve.’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) NO-PREMIUM PLAN.—(A) The dental insur-
ance plan established under subsection (a)(5) is a no- 
premium plan. 
‘‘(B) Members enrolled in a no-premium plan 
may not be charged a premium for benefits provided 
under the plan.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘a mem-
ber of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or’’; 
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(4) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) 
as subsections (g) through (l), respectively; 
(5) by inserting after subsection (e) the following 
new subsection (f): 
‘‘(f) COPAYMENTS UNDER NO PREMIUM PLANS.—A 
member who receives dental care under a no-premium plan 
referred to in subsection (d)(3) shall pay no charge for any 
care described in subsection (c).’’; and 
(6) in subsection (i), as redesignated by para-
graph (4), by striking ‘‘subsection (k)(2)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘subsection (l)(2)’’. 
SEC. 702. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR 
HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER TRICARE RESERVE 
SELECT FOR SURVIVORS OF A MEMBER OF 
THE SELECTED RESERVE. 
Section 1076d(c) of the title 10, United States Code 
is amended by striking ‘‘six months’’ and inserting ‘‘three 
years’’. 
SEC. 703. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF REQUIRED 
MENTAL HEALTH SELF-INITIATED REFERRAL 
PROCESS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED 
RESERVE. 
Section 1090b(e) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘described in para-
graph (3)’’ after ‘‘member of the armed forces’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(3) A member of the armed forces described in 
this paragraph is a member on active duty for a pe-
riod of longer than 30 days or a member of the Se-
lected Reserve.’’. 
SEC. 704. NON-MEDICAL COUNSELING SERVICES FOR MILI-
TARY FAMILIES. 
Section 1781 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) NON-MEDICAL COUNSELING SERVICES.—(1) In 
carrying out its duties under subsection (b), the Office may 
coordinate programs and activities for the provision of non- 
medical counseling services to military families through the 
Department of Defense Military and Family Counseling 
Program. 
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
mental health professional described in paragraph (3) may 
provide non-medical counseling services at any location in 
a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or posses-
sion of the United States, without regard to where the pro-
vider or recipient of such services is located, if the provision 
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
of such services is within the scope of the authorized Federal 
duties of the provider. 
‘‘(3) A mental health professional described in this sub-
section is a person who is— 
‘‘(A) a mental health professional who holds a 
current license or certification that is— 
‘‘(i) issued by a State, the District of Co-
lumbia, or a territory or possession of the United 
States; and 
‘‘(ii) recognized by the Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(B) a member of the uniformed services, a civil-
ian employee of the Department of Defense, or a con-
tractor designated by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(C) performing authorized duties for the De-
partment of Defense under a program or activity re-
ferred to in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) In this subsection, the term ‘non-medical coun-
seling services’ means mental health care services that are 
non-clinical, short-term and solution focused, and address 
topics related to personal growth, development, and positive 
functioning.’’. 
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•HR 2670 RH1S 
mittees a written justification for such deter-
mination. 
(B) TIMING.—The Secretary shall consider 
the nature of each relevant urgent operational 
need and the circumstances of performance and 
production that resulted from the initial or pre-
ceding competition when determining the timing 
of a subsequent competition under subparagraph 
(A). 
(5) INITIAL COMPETITIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The first two competi-
tions carried out the pilot program must be with 
respect to solving one of the following urgent 
operational need: 
(i) Short-range air defense. 
(ii) Tactical precision strike. 
(B) INITIAL
COMPETITION
CRITERIA.—In 
addition to any other criteria for the selection of 
a proposed solution under this section, a pro-
posed solution to either of the first two competi-
tions carried out under the pilot program must 
demonstrate an ability— 
(i) to offer multiple kinetic or non-ki-
netic effects options; 
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(C) Any additional authorities required to 
establish and carry out a covered program. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered program’’ means a pro-
gram similar to the STRATFI program that provides 
funds to support small business concerns preparing to 
seek a Phase III award with respect to a project or 
technology for which such small business concern re-
ceived a Phase II award. 
(2) The terms ‘‘Phase I’’, ‘‘Phase II’’, and 
‘‘Small Business Innovation Research Program’’, 
have the meanings given, respectively, in section 9(e) 
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)). 
(3) The term ‘‘small business concern’’ has the 
meaning given under section 3 of the Small Business 
Act (15 U.S.C. 632). 
(4) The term ‘‘STRATFI program’’ refers to the 
Strategic Funding Increase program of the Air Force 
that provides funds to assist small business concerns 
with securing a Phase III agreement (as such term is 
defined in section 9(r)(2) of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 5 638(r)(2))). 
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(A) The National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91). 
(B) The John S. McCain National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public 
Law 115–232). 
(C) The National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92). 
(D) The William M. (Mac) Thornberry Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Public Law 116–283). 
(E) The National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81). 
(F) The James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public 
Law 117–263). 
(c) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law (other 
than this section), regulation, map, document, paper, or 
other record of the United States to the Under Secretary 
of Defense for Research and Engineering shall be deemed 
to be a reference to the Under Secretary of Defense for 
Science and Innovation Integration. 
(d) SERVICE OF INCUMBENT IN POSITION.—The indi-
vidual serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Research 
and Engineering as of the effective date specified in sub-
section (e) may serve as Under Secretary of Defense for 
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