H. R. 5009—134 
(2) in the fourth and fifth sentences, by striking ‘‘A Reserve’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘who is’’ and inserting ‘‘Such 
an officer who is’’. 
(b) SECTION 209.—Section 209(h) of such title is amended by 
inserting ‘‘, or a member of the Space Force,’’ after ‘‘a member 
of the reserve components of the armed forces’’. 
(c) CROSS-REFERENCE AMENDMENT.—Section 202(a) of such title, 
as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 29(c) and (d) of the Act of August 10, 1956 (70A Stat. 632; 
5 U.S.C. 30r(c) and (d))’’ and inserting ‘‘sections 502, 2105(d), and 
5534 of title 5’’. 
SEC. 569. CORRECTION OF CERTAIN CITATIONS IN TITLE 18, UNITED 
STATES CODE, RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENSES. 
Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 2241(c)— 
(A) in the second sentence, by inserting ‘‘or an offense 
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice’’ after ‘‘State 
offense’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘either such provision’’ and inserting 
‘‘any such provision’’; 
(2) in section 2251(e), by striking ‘‘section 920 of title 10 
(article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘the Uniform Code of Mili-
tary Justice or’’; 
(3) in section 2252(b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 920 of title 
10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
or under’’ and inserting ‘‘the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 920 of title 
10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
or under’’ and inserting ‘‘the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice or’’; 
(4) in section 2252A(b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 920 of title 
10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
or under’’ and inserting ‘‘the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 920 of title 
10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
or under’’ and inserting ‘‘the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice or’’; 
(5) in section 2426(b)(1)(B), by inserting ‘‘or the Uniform 
Code of Military Justice’’ after ‘‘State law’’; and 
(6) in section 3559(e)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘State sex offense’’ and inserting 
‘‘State or Military sex offense’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice’’ after ‘‘State law’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘or Military’’ 
after ‘‘State’’.
H. R. 5009—135 
SEC. 
569A. 
MODIFICATION 
OF 
TIMELINE 
FOR 
POTENTIAL 
IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDY ON UNANIMOUS COURT- 
MARTIAL VERDICTS. 
Section 536(c)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 263) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2027’’ and inserting ‘‘2026’’. 
SEC. 569B. REMOVAL OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING AND OTHER 
INFORMATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS FROM THE DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE CENTRAL INDEX OF INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 545 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116– 
283; 10 U.S.C. 1552 note) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘INVESTIGATIVE 
REPORTS’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘THE DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE CENTRAL INDEX OF INVESTIGATIONS’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘October 1, 2021’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2025’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘removed from, the following:’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end of paragraph 
(3) and inserting ‘‘removed from, an index item or entry 
in the Department of Defense Central Index of Investiga-
tions.’’; 
(3) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘or is maintained’’ and 
all that follows through the period at the end of paragraph 
(3) and inserting ‘‘or is maintained, as an item or entry in 
the Department of Defense Central Index of Investigations.’’; 
and 
(4) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘a report, item or entry, or record described in 
paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a)’’ and inserting 
‘‘an index item or entry in the Department of Defense 
Central Index of Investigations’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘such report, item 
or entry, or record’’ and inserting ‘‘such item or entry’’. 
SEC. 569C. EXPANDED COMMAND NOTIFICATIONS TO VICTIMS OF 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. 
Section 549 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 806b note) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘OFFENSE’’ and 
inserting ‘‘AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-RELATED OFFENSES’’; 
(2) in the first sentence— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, or a case of an alleged domestic 
violence-related offense (as defined by the Secretary),’’ after 
‘‘of title 10, United States Code)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘periodically notify the victim’’ and 
inserting ‘‘ensure that the victim (or the victim’s legal 
counsel if so requested by the victim) is periodically noti-
fied’’; and 
(3) in the last sentence, by striking ‘‘notify the victim’’ 
and inserting ‘‘ensure that the victim (or the victim’s legal 
counsel if so requested by the victim) is notified’’.
H. R. 5009—136 
SEC. 569D. EXTENSION OF DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INVES-
TIGATION, PROSECUTION, AND DEFENSE OF SEXUAL 
ASSAULT IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
Section 546 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public 
Law 113–291; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ‘‘10 years after’’ and 
inserting ‘‘15 years after’’; and 
(2) by redesignating the second subsection (f) as subsection 
(g). 
SEC. 569E. ANALYSIS ON THE ADVISABILITY OF REVISING MILITARY 
RULE OF EVIDENCE 513. 
(a) ANALYSIS REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall ana-
lyze the advisability of modifying rule 513 of the Military Rules 
of Evidence (as set forth in part III of the Manual for Courts- 
Martial) to include diagnoses of a patient and treatments prescribed 
to a patient as confidential communications subject to the 
psychotherapist-patient privilege. The Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report that includes the considerations 
described in subsection (b). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In the analysis directed under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider— 
(1) the advisability of modifying Military Rule of Evidence 
513 to cover psychotherapy diagnoses and treatments; and 
(2) such other approaches to the modification of Military 
Rule of Evidence 513 as the Secretary considers appropriate 
to address victim privacy rights balanced against the rights 
of the accused and the best interests of justice. 
SEC. 569F. ANALYSIS OF PROHIBITION ON BROADCAST AND DISTRIBU-
TION OF DIGITALLY MANIPULATED INTIMATE IMAGES 
UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
(a) ANALYSIS REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall— 
(1) analyze the feasibility and advisability of, and potential 
approaches to, modifying the offense of indecent viewing, visual 
recording, or broadcasting under section 920c of title 10, United 
States Code (article 120c of the Uniform Code of Military Jus-
tice) to clarify its applicability to the broadcasting and distribu-
tion of digitally manipulated intimate images; and 
(2) provide the results of such analysis to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the analysis required 
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider— 
(1) the advisability of modifying section 920c of title 10, 
United States Code (article 120c of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice)— 
(A) to prohibit the broadcasting or distribution of an 
intimate digital depiction of another person that the 
offender knew or reasonably should have known was made 
without the other person’s consent and under circumstances 
in which that person has a reasonable expectation of pri-
vacy; and 
(B) to define the term ‘‘intimate digital depiction’’ (as 
used in subparagraph (A)) as a digital depiction of an
H. R. 5009—137 
individual that has been created or altered using digital 
manipulation and that depicts— 
(i) the private area of an identifiable individual; 
or 
(ii) an identifiable individual engaging in sexually 
explicit conduct (as defined in section 917a(b) of title 
10, United States Code (article 117a(b)(4) of the Uni-
form Code of Military Justice)); and 
(2) such other approaches to the modification of such section 
920c (article 120c) as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
address digitally manipulated intimate images. 
Subtitle H—Career Transition 
SEC. 571. PATHWAY FOR INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING FOR MEMBERS 
OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS UNDER TAP. 
Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended, 
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘(including 
one pathway for members of the reserve components)’’ after ‘‘mili-
tary department concerned’’. 
SEC. 572. EXTENSION OF TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PROGRAM. 
Section 1154 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)(3)(C)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘5,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘3,000’’; and 
(B) by striking clause (iii) and redesignating clause 
(iv) as clause (iii); and 
(2) in subsection (k), by striking ‘‘2027’’ and inserting 
‘‘2029’’. 
SEC. 573. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF REPORT ON THE TRANSI-
TION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE. 
Section 552(b)(4) of the John S. McCain National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232) is 
amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘4 years’’ and inserting ‘‘seven years’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘, disaggregated by 
whether such attendance was in person or remote’’ after ‘‘coun-
seling’’; 
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (I) as sub-
paragraphs (I) through (L), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting, after subparagraph (E), the following new 
subparagraphs: 
‘‘(F) The total number of members who did not attend 
Transition Assistance Program counseling due to oper-
ational requirements. 
‘‘(G) If the information described in subparagraph (F) 
is unavailable, processes the Secretary is implementing 
to collect such information. 
‘‘(H) An assessment of challenges to attending Transi-
tion Assistance Program counseling in person.’’. 
SEC. 574. MILITARY TRAINING AND COMPETENCY RECORDS. 
(a) COMPETENCY RECORDS.—
H. R. 5009—138 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of a military department 
shall provide, to each member of a covered Armed Force under 
the jurisdiction of such Secretary, a document that outlines 
the training and qualifications acquired by the member while 
serving in such covered Armed Force. Such document shall 
be known as a ‘‘competency record’’. 
(2) FORMAT AND CONTENTS.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
develop a standardized format for competency records, which 
shall include, at a minimum, the following information: 
(A) Relevant personal details about the member. 
(B) Description of training courses, certifications, and 
qualifications obtained. 
(C) Date and duration of each completed training. 
(D) Authorized signatures and other necessary authen-
tication. 
(3) AVAILABILITY.—A competency record shall be provided 
to a member upon the separation or retirement of such member 
from a covered Armed Force. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish 
the necessary regulations, procedures, and timelines for the 
implementation of this section. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report on the implementation and usefulness 
of competency records and any recommendations of the Secretary 
for improving competency records. The report shall include feedback 
and recommendations from States and other employers regarding 
the usability and accuracy of the information in the competency 
records. 
(d) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air 
Force, or Space Force. 
Subtitle I—Family Programs and Child 
Care 
SEC. 581. INTERSTATE COMPACTS FOR PORTABILITY OF OCCUPA-
TIONAL LICENSES OF MILITARY SPOUSES: PERMANENT 
AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1784(h) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by striking paragraph (5). 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect as if enacted immediately following the enactment 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 
(Public Law 116–92), to which such amendment relates. 
SEC. 582. MILITARY SPOUSE CAREER ACCELERATOR PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 1784 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) EMPLOYMENT FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.—(1) The Sec-
retary of Defense shall carry out a program to provide spouses 
of members of the armed forces with paid fellowships (including 
in-person, remote, and hybrid fellowships) with employers in various
H. R. 5009—139 
industries. To carry out such program, the Secretary shall take 
the following steps: 
‘‘(A) Seek to enter into an agreement with an entity to 
conduct such program. 
‘‘(B) Determine the appropriate capacity for the program 
based on the availability of appropriations for such purpose. 
‘‘(C) Establish criteria to evaluate the effectiveness and 
cost-effectiveness of the program in supporting the employment 
of such spouses. 
‘‘(2) The authority to carry out the program under this sub-
section shall terminate on January 1, 2031.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (i) of such section shall take 
effect on January 1, 2026. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The pilot program under section 
564 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2022 (Public Law 117–81; 10 U.S.C. 1784 note) shall terminate 
on January 1, 2026. 
SEC. 583. COMPETITIVE PAY FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CHILD 
CARE PERSONNEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1792(c) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) COMPETITIVE RATES OF PAY.—(1) For the purpose of pro-
viding military child development centers with a qualified and 
stable civilian workforce, employees at a military installation who 
are directly involved in providing child care and who are paid 
from nonappropriated funds— 
‘‘(A) in the case of entry-level employees, shall be paid 
a rate of pay competitive with the rates of pay paid to other 
equivalent non-Federal positions within the metropolitan statis-
tical area or non-metropolitan statistical area (as the case may 
be) in which such Department employee’s position is located; 
and 
‘‘(B) in the case of any employee not covered by subpara-
graph (A), shall be paid a rate of pay competitive with the 
rates of pay paid to other employees with similar training, 
seniority, and experience within the metropolitan statistical 
area or non-metropolitan statistical area (as the case may be) 
in which such Department employee’s position is located. 
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no employee shall receive 
a rate of pay under this subsection that is lower than the minimum 
hourly rate of pay applicable to civilian employees of the Depart-
ment of Defense. 
‘‘(3) For purposes of determining the rates of pay under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall use the metropolitan and nonmetro-
politan area occupational employment and wage estimates pub-
lished monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect not later than April 1, 2025. 
(2) RATES OF PAY.— 
(A) EMPLOYEE PAY RATE NOT REDUCED.—The rate of 
pay for any individual who is an employee covered by 
subsection (c) of section 1792 of title 10, United States 
Code, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, on 
the date of the enactment of this Act shall not be reduced 
by operation of such amendment.
H. R. 5009—140 
(B) PAY BAND MINIMUM.—Any employee whose rate 
of pay is fixed under such subsection (c), as so amended, 
and who is within any pay band shall receive a rate of 
pay not less than the minimum rate of pay applicable 
to such pay band. 
SEC. 584. POSTING OF NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE AT MILITARY 
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS. 
Section 1794(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘by 
means including—’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(A) posting it in public areas of military child development 
centers; and 
‘‘(B) providing it to the parents and legal guardians of 
children who attend military child development centers.’’. 
SEC. 585. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN 
RELATING TO WAITING LISTS FOR MILITARY CHILD 
DEVELOPMENT CENTERS. 
Section 585(a)(2)(D) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 1791 note 
prec.) is amended by inserting ‘‘a provider eligible for financial 
assistance under section 1798 of title 10, United States Code, or’’ 
before ‘‘pilot programs’’. 
SEC. 586. EXPANSION OF ANNUAL BRIEFING REGARDING WAITING 
LISTS FOR MILITARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS. 
Subsection (b) of section 585 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 1791 
note prec.) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) with regards to the 20 military installations with the 
longest waiting lists for child care services at military child 
development centers— 
‘‘(A) the number of children on each waiting list; 
‘‘(B) the available total capacity for child care services 
at 
each 
such 
military 
child 
development 
center, 
disaggregated by infants, pre-toddlers, toddlers, and pre- 
school children; 
‘‘(C) an accounting of the total unduplicated and unmet 
need for child care within each metropolitan region rep-
resented by a military installation described in subpara-
graph (A); and 
‘‘(D) the determination of the Secretary of Defense 
whether insufficient staffing or issues relating to mainte-
nance contribute to the length of such waiting lists; and 
‘‘(2) an accounting of the efforts of the Secretary of Defense 
to mitigate child care shortages in order to shorten waiting 
lists and address unmet needs for child care across the Depart-
ment of Defense.’’. 
SEC. 587. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PORTABILITY OF PROFES-
SIONAL LICENSES OF SERVICEMEMBERS AND THEIR 
SPOUSES. 
Section 705A of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 
4025a) is amended to read as follows:
H. R. 5009—141 
‘‘SEC. 
705A. 
PORTABILITY 
OF 
PROFESSIONAL 
LICENSES 
OF 
SERVICEMEMBERS AND THEIR SPOUSES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—If a servicemember or the spouse of a service-
member has a covered license and relocates residence because such 
servicemember receives military orders for military service in a 
State other than the State of the licensing authority that issued 
the covered license, such covered license shall be considered valid 
for the scope of practice in the State of the new residence if such 
servicemember or spouse submits to the licensing authority of such 
State an application described in subsection (c). 
‘‘(b) TEMPORARY LICENSES.—If a licensing authority is required 
to consider a covered license valid under subsection (a) but cannot 
carry out such requirement during the 30 days after receiving 
an application described in subsection (c), the licensing authority 
may issue to the applicant a temporary license that confers the 
same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a permanent license. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—An application described in this subsection 
includes the following: 
‘‘(1) Proof of military orders described in subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) If the applicant is the spouse of a servicemember, 
a copy of the marriage certificate. 
‘‘(3) A notarized affidavit affirming, under the penalty of 
law, that— 
‘‘(A) the applicant is the person described and identified 
in the application; 
‘‘(B) all statements made in the application are true 
and correct and complete; 
‘‘(C) the applicant has read and understands the 
requirements to receive a license, and the scope of practice, 
of the State of the licensing authority; 
‘‘(D) the applicant certifies that the applicant meets 
and shall comply with requirements described in subpara-
graph (C); and 
‘‘(E) the applicant is in good standing in all States 
in which the applicant holds or has held a license. 
‘‘(d) BACKGROUND CHECKS.—A licensing authority that receives 
an application described in subsection (b) may conduct a background 
check of the applicant before carrying out subsection (a) or (b). 
‘‘(e) INTERSTATE COMPACTS.—If a servicemember or spouse of 
a servicemember has a covered license to operate in multiple States 
pursuant to an interstate compact described in section 1784 of 
title 10, United States Code— 
‘‘(1) the servicemember or spouse of a servicemember shall 
be subject to the requirements of such compact or the applicable 
provisions of law of the applicable State; and 
‘‘(2) this section shall not apply to such servicemember 
or spouse of a servicemember. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered license’ means a professional license 
that, with respect to a scope of practice— 
‘‘(A) is in good standing with the licensing authority 
that issued such license; 
‘‘(B) has not been revoked or had discipline imposed 
by any State; 
‘‘(C) does not have an investigation relating to unpro-
fessional conduct pending in any State relating to it; and
H. R. 5009—142 
‘‘(D) has not been voluntarily surrendered while under 
investigation for unprofessional conduct in any State. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘license’ means any license, certificate, or 
other evidence of qualification that an individual is required 
to obtain before the individual may engage in, or represent 
himself or herself to be a member of, a particular profession. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘licensing authority’ means any State board, 
commission, department, or agency that— 
‘‘(A) is established in the State for the primary purpose 
of regulating the entry of persons into or the conduct of 
persons within, a particular profession; and 
‘‘(B) is authorized to issue licenses. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘military orders’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 305. 
‘‘(5) The term ‘scope of practice’ means the defined param-
eters of various duties or services that may be provided by 
an individual under a license.’’. 
SEC. 588. CHILD CARE SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES 
FOR DEPENDENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, 
the Secretary of Defense shall fully fund requests under section 
1798 of title 10, United States Code, for financial assistance to 
eligible civilian providers of child care services or youth program 
services, as such terms are used in such section. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall not be con-
strued to limit the authority of the Secretary, under subsection 
(a) of such section, to determine whether to provide such financial 
assistance to an eligible provider for such services. 
SEC. 589. CHILD CARE SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES 
FOR DEPENDENTS: PERIOD OF SERVICES FOR A MEMBER 
WITH A SPOUSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. 
(a) PERIOD.—The Secretary of a military department may pro-
vide a covered member with covered services for a period of at 
least 180 days. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to— 
(1) entitle a covered member to covered services; or 
(2) give priority to a covered member for purposes of a 
determination regarding who shall receive covered services. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered member’’ means a member of the 
Armed Forces— 
(A) who has a dependent child; and 
(B) whose spouse is seeking employment. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered services’’ means child care services 
or youth program services provided or paid for by the Secretary 
of Defense under subchapter II of chapter 88 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 589A. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM STAFFING AND COM-
PENSATION MODEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration 
with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall carry out 
a redesign of the Department of Defense child development program 
compensation model and modernization of the child development 
program staffing model.
H. R. 5009—143 
(b) REDESIGNED
COMPENSATION
MODEL.—The Secretary of 
Defense, in collaboration with the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments, shall— 
(1) redesign child development program staff compensation 
for non-entry level, mid-to-senior level classroom staff by mod-
ernizing the duties and responsibilities captured in position 
descriptions to more accurately reflect performance and 
expectations of the positions; 
(2) adjust compensation for higher-level program manage-
ment positions by modernizing the duties and responsibilities 
captured in position descriptions to more accurately reflect 
performance and expectations of the positions; 
(3) direct the Department’s personnel office to make nec-
essary adjustments to modernize the pay plan to accommodate 
any compensation and wage increases driven by the updated 
position descriptions for child development program staff; and 
(4) begin implementation of the revised position descrip-
tions and accompanying compensation adjustments no later 
than April 1, 2025, subject to the availability of appropriations. 
(c) MODERNIZE
CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
STAFFING 
MODEL.—The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secre-
taries of the military departments, shall— 
(1) add key positions to facilitate classroom operations and 
provide direct support to child development program staff; 
(2) add key positions to coordinate support for the needs 
of children with specials needs and provide direct support to 
the child development program staff working with these chil-
dren; and 
(3) develop and implement a 5-year phased plan to ensure 
responsible funding execution, successful implementation 
allowing for adjustments as necessary, and long-term sustain-
able impact. 
(d) BRIEFINGS REQUIRED.— 
(1) INITIAL BASELINE BRIEFING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
collaboration with the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments, shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives an initial 
baseline briefing that describes progress, accomplishments, 
and the impact of the redesign of the Department of 
Defense child development program compensation model 
and the modernization of the child development program 
staffing model. 
(B) ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA BASELINE.—The briefing 
required by subparagraph (A) shall be used to establish 
a data baseline. 
(2) ANNUAL BRIEFINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after pro-
viding the briefing required by paragraph (1), and annually 
thereafter for four years, the Secretary, in collaboration 
with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall 
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a briefing on the progress 
made with respect to the redesign of the Department of 
Defense child development program compensation model
H. R. 5009—144 
and the modernization of the child development program 
staffing model. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—Each briefing required by subpara-
graph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) The percentage of child development program 
staff that are also military spouses. 
(ii) The turnover or retention rate of child develop-
ment program staff. 
(iii) The utilization rate of child development pro-
gram child care spaces. 
(iv) The number of child development program 
employees who were hired during the year preceding 
the briefing. 
(v) The percentage of such employees who resigned 
within their first six months of employment. 
(vi) Information on the ability to staff newly con-
structed facilities. 
(vii) An assessment of the impact of adding key 
positions to the child development program staffing 
model under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c). 
SEC. 589B. INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2026, the Secretary 
of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military 
departments, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan for the 
implementation of a military families playground pilot program 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Inclusive Playground Pilot Pro-
gram’’) to design, develop, and construct playgrounds that directly 
support families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Pro-
gram (hereinafter, ‘‘EFMP’’) to increase the accessibility and 
inclusivity of access to playgrounds on military installations selected 
under subsection (c). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan under subsection (a) shall include 
the following elements: 
(1) A definition of the term ‘‘inclusive playground’’. 
(2) A list of existing inclusive playgrounds on military 
installations. 
(3) A list of military installations selected by the Secretary 
of Defense under subsection (c). 
(4) An explanation of how the Secretary of Defense selected 
such locations, including— 
(A) the numbers of military families enrolled in the 
EFMP at each such military installation; and 
(B) the minimum number of such military families 
that justifies the construction of an inclusive playground 
on such military installation. 
(5) The estimated costs to design, develop, and construct 
an inclusive playground (or upgrade an existing playground 
to meet such definition) on the military installations selected 
under subsection (c), including— 
(A) an explanation of how the Secretary determined 
whether to construct a new inclusive playground or to 
upgrade an existing playground; 
(B) the overall sustainment costs for an inclusive play-
ground, and
H. R. 5009—145 
(C) they type of funding required for such design, 
development, and construction. 
(6) A list of additional authorities, appropriations, or other 
support the Secretary determines necessary to ensure the suc-
cess of the Inclusive Playground Pilot Program. 
(c) LOCATIONS.—In selecting military installations on which 
to implement the Inclusive Playground Pilot Program, the Secretary 
of Defense shall— 
(1) select one military installation— 
(A) of each military department; and 
(B) that the Secretary determines has a large number 
of military families enrolled in the EFMP that would use 
an inclusive playground; 
(2) take into consideration any existing inclusive play-
ground of the Department of Defense. 
(d) LIMITATION.—The Secretary of Defense may not implement 
the Inclusive Playground Pilot Program until— 
(1) 180 days after the date on which the Secretary submits 
the plan under subsection (a); and 
(2) funds are obligated for the design, development, and 
construction of inclusive playgrounds under the Inclusive Play-
ground Pilot Program as minor military construction projects. 
Subtitle J—Dependent Education 
SEC. 591. ADVISORY COMMITTEES FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
DOMESTIC DEPENDENTS SCHOOLS. 
Section 2164(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—(1) The Secretary of 
Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense 
Education Activity, shall provide for the establishment of an 
advisory committee for each Department of Defense elementary 
or secondary school established at a military installation under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) An advisory committee established under paragraph (1) 
for a school at a military installation— 
‘‘(A) shall advise the principal or superintendent of the 
school with respect to the operation of the school; 
‘‘(B) may make recommendations with respect to cur-
riculum and budget matters; and 
‘‘(C) except in the case of an advisory committee for a 
school on a military installation described in paragraph (4), 
shall advise the commander of the military installation with 
respect to problems concerning the education of dependents 
within the jurisdiction of the commander. 
‘‘(3)(A) The membership of each advisory committee established 
for a school described in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) shall include an equal number of parents of students 
enrolled in the school and of employees working at the school; 
and 
‘‘(ii) when appropriate, may include a student enrolled in 
the school. 
‘‘(B) In addition to the members described in subparagraph 
(A), the membership of each advisory committee shall include one 
nonvoting member designated by the organization recognized as
H. R. 5009—146 
the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees working 
at the school. 
‘‘(4) In the case of a military installation where there is more 
than one school in the Department of Defense elementary and 
secondary school system, the Secretary, acting through the Director, 
shall provide for the establishment of an advisory committee for 
the military installation to advise the commander of the military 
installation with respect to the education of dependents. 
‘‘(5)(A) Except in the case of a nonvoting member designated 
under paragraph (3)(B), members of an advisory committee estab-
lished under this subsection shall be elected by individuals of voting 
age residing in the area to be served by the advisory committee. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall by regula-
tion prescribe the qualifications for election to an advisory com-
mittee established under this subsection and procedures for con-
ducting elections of members to such an advisory committee. 
‘‘(6) Members of an advisory committee established under this 
subsection shall serve without pay.’’. 
SEC. 592. ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN DECEASED MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR ENROLLMENT IN 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
DEFENSE 
DOMESTIC 
DEPENDENT 
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 
Section 2164(j) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by striking 
‘‘an individual described in paragraph (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘a 
member of a foreign armed force residing on a military installa-
tion in the United States (including territories, commonwealths, 
and possessions of the United States)’’; and 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary may authorize the enrollment in a Depart-
ment of Defense education program provided by the Secretary 
pursuant to subsection (a) of a dependent not otherwise eligible 
for such enrollment who is the dependent of a member of the 
armed forces who died in— 
‘‘(i) an international terrorist attack against the United 
States or a foreign country friendly to the United States, as 
determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) military operations while serving outside the United 
States (including the commonwealths, territories, and posses-
sions of the United States) as part of a peacekeeping force; 
or 
‘‘(iii) the line of duty in a combat-related operation, as 
designated by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B)(i) Except as provided by clause (ii), enrollment of a 
dependent described in subparagraph (A) in a Department of 
Defense education program provided pursuant to subsection (a) 
shall be on a tuition-free, space available basis. 
‘‘(ii) In the case of a dependent described in subparagraph 
(A) residing on a military installation in the United States 
(including territories, commonwealths, and possessions of the 
United States), the Secretary may authorize enrollment of the 
dependent in a Department of Defense education program provided 
pursuant to subsection (a) on a tuition-free, space required basis.’’.
H. R. 5009—147 
SEC. 593. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR VIRTUAL PROGRAMS OPER-
ATED 
BY 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
DEFENSE 
EDUCATION 
ACTIVITY. 
Section 2164(l) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
following new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B) is a home-schooled student.’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the 
following new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘home-schooled student’ means 
a student in a grade equivalent to kindergarten or any of grades 
1 through 12 who receives educational instruction at home or by 
other nontraditional means outside of a public or private school 
system, either all or most of the time.’’. 
SEC. 594. AUTHORIZATION FOR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS AT DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE DEPENDENT SCHOOLS. 
(a) 
DEPARTMENT
OF
DEFENSE
DOMESTIC
DEPENDENT 
SCHOOLS.—Section 2164 of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(m) MEAL PROGRAMS.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may 
administer a meal program, consistent with Federal law and stand-
ards prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture for that meal pro-
gram, for students enrolled in a school established under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘meal program’ means a pro-
gram established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
1771 et seq.) or the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).’’. 
(b) 
DEPARTMENT
OF
DEFENSE
OVERSEAS
DEPENDENT 
SCHOOLS.—Section 1402 of the Defense Dependents’ Education Act 
of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) MEAL PROGRAMS.—In addition to carrying out the require-
ment under section 20 of the Richard B. Russell National School 
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769b) to administer lunch programs in 
certain dependents’ schools, the Secretary of Defense may admin-
ister a school breakfast program for students attending a school 
of the defense dependents’ education system.’’. 
SEC. 595. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN DEPENDENTS FOR ENROLLMENT 
IN DOMESTIC DEPENDENT ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY 
SCHOOLS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 108 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after section 2164a the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 2164b. Eligibility of certain dependents for enrollment in 
domestic dependent elementary and secondary 
schools 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—Beginning not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall carry 
out a program under which a dependent of a full-time, active-
H. R. 5009—148 
duty member of the armed forces may enroll in a covered DODEA 
school at the military installation to which the member is assigned, 
on a space-available basis as described in subsection (b), without 
regard to whether the member resides on the installation as 
described in section 2164(a)(1) of this title. 
‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT
ON
SPACE-AVAILABLE
BASIS.—A student 
participating in the program under subsection (a) may be enrolled 
in a covered DODEA school only if the school has the capacity 
to accept the student, as determined by the Director of the Depart-
ment of Defense Education Activity. 
‘‘(c) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall select military installa-
tions for participation in the program under subsection (a) based 
on— 
‘‘(1) the readiness needs of the Secretary of the military 
department concerned; and 
‘‘(2) the capacity of the covered DODEA schools located 
at the installation to accept additional students, as determined 
by the Director. 
‘‘(d) BRIEFINGS REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than April 1, 2025, and 
annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary shall brief 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives on the program under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—Each briefing required by paragraph (1) 
shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) An identification of the military installations 
participating in the program under subsection (a). 
‘‘(B) The number of students enrolled in covered 
DODEA schools under the program. 
‘‘(e) NOTIFICATIONS
OF
PARTICIPATING
INSTALLATIONS.—Not 
later than 90 days before officially announcing the participation 
of a new military installation in the program under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives with respect to 
the participation of the installation. 
‘‘(f) COVERED DODEA SCHOOL DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘covered DODEA school’ means a domestic dependent 
elementary or secondary school operated by the Department of 
Defense Education Activity that— 
‘‘(1) was established on or before the date of the enactment 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025; 
and 
‘‘(2) is located in the continental United States.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Section 589C of the William M. 
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 2164 note) is repealed. 
SEC. 596. STAFFING OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION 
ACTIVITY SCHOOLS TO MAINTAIN MAXIMUM STUDENT-TO- 
TEACHER RATIOS. 
Section 589B(c) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116– 
283; 134 Stat. 3659) is amended by striking ‘‘2023-2024 academic 
year’’ and inserting ‘‘2029-2030 academic year’’.
H. R. 5009—149 
SEC. 597. ENROLLMENT IN DEFENSE DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATION 
SYSTEM OF CHILDREN OF FOREIGN MILITARY MEMBERS 
ASSIGNED TO UNITED NATIONS COMMAND. 
Section 1404A of the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 
1978 (20 U.S.C. 923a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘a foreign military member’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘Supreme’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘foreign military members assigned to— 
‘‘(A) the Supreme’’; 
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(B) the United Nations Command, but only in a school 
of the defense dependents’ education system in South Korea 
or Japan.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘ASSIGNED’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘EUROPE’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘in Mons’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) 
to determine the number of children described in that 
paragraph’’; and 
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘the com-
mander’’ and all that follows through ‘‘Belgium’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the commanders of the geographic combat-
ant commands with jurisdiction over the locations 
described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a)’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘in Mons, Belgium,’’. 
SEC. 598. CERTAIN ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES 
THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF MILITARY AND CIVILIAN 
PERSONNEL. 
(a) CONTINUATION
OF
AUTHORITY
TO
ASSIST
LOCAL
EDU-
CATIONAL AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS OF 
THE
ARMED
FORCES
AND
DEPARTMENT
OF
DEFENSE
CIVILIAN 
EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS WITH SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS 
OF MILITARY DEPENDENT STUDENTS.—Of the amount authorized 
to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 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 Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 20 U.S.C. 7703b). 
(2) LOCAL
EDUCATIONAL
AGENCY
DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 7013(9) of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7713(9)). 
(b) IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the amount authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal year 2025 pursuant to section 301 and avail-
able for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities
H. R. 5009—150 
as specified in the funding table in section 4301, $10,000,000 
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). 
(2) ADDITIONAL
AMOUNT.—Of the amount authorized to 
be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 pursuant to section 301 
and available for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide 
activities as specified in the funding table in section 4301, 
$10,000,000 shall be available for use by the Secretary of 
Defense to make payments to local educational agencies deter-
mined by the Secretary to have higher concentrations of mili-
tary children with severe disabilities. 
(3) BRIEFING.—Not later than March 31, 2025, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
briefing on the Department of Defense’s evaluation of each 
local educational agency with higher concentrations of military 
children with severe disabilities and subsequent determination 
of the amounts of impact aid each such agency shall receive. 
SEC. 599. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS TEACHERS IN 21ST CENTURY 
SCHOOLS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION 
ACTIVITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through 
the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall 
require each teacher in a 21st century school to undergo training 
in accordance with this section. 
(b) CONTENT.—The training required under subsection (a) shall 
consist of specialized instruction to provide teachers with the skills 
necessary to effectively teach in a 21st century school environment, 
including instruction in— 
(1) understanding and using the physical space of a 21st 
century school classroom; 
(2) building the relationships necessary to succeed, 
including relationships with students and other teachers; 
(3) the curriculum and level of academic rigor necessary 
to increase student learning; 
(4) other skills necessary to support the academic achieve-
ment and social and emotional well being of students; and 
(5) such other topics as the Secretary and the Director 
determine appropriate. 
(c) FREQUENCY.—The training required under subsection (a) 
shall be provided as follows: 
(1) In the case of a teacher who has been assigned to 
a 21st century school, but has not commenced teaching in 
such school, the training shall be provided before the teacher 
commences teaching in such school. 
(2) In the case of a teacher who previously taught in 
a 21st century school, but subsequently taught in a school 
that is not a 21st century school for one or more school years, 
such training shall be provided before the teacher resumes 
teaching in a 21st Century School. 
(3) In the case of a teacher who is teaching in a 21st 
century school as of the date of the enactment of this Act, 
such training shall be provided not later than 180 days after 
such date of enactment.
H. R. 5009—151 
(4) In the case of a teacher who teaches in a 21st century 
school on an ongoing basis, and who previously received 
training under this subsection, such training shall be provided 
not less frequently than once every three years. 
(d) 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘21st century school’’ means a school facility operated by the Depart-
ment of Defense Education Activity that has been constructed or 
modernized pursuant to the 21st Century Schools Program of the 
Activity. 
SEC. 599A. OVERSEAS TRANSFER PROGRAM FOR EDUCATORS IN 
SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
EDUCATION ACTIVITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 2025, the Sec-
retary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of the Depart-
ment of Defense Education Activity, shall develop and implement 
a policy pursuant to which a teacher at an overseas DODEA school 
may transfer to a position at another overseas DODEA school, 
subject to such terms, conditions, and other requirements as the 
Secretary determines appropriate. 
(b) OVERSEAS DODEA SCHOOL DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘overseas DODEA school’’ means a school that is— 
(1) operated by the Department of Defense Education 
Activity; and 
(2) located outside the United States. 
SEC. 599B. PARENTAL RIGHT TO NOTICE OF STUDENT NONPRO-
FICIENCY IN READING OR LANGUAGE ARTS. 
The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each elementary 
school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity 
notifies the parents of any student enrolled in such school when 
the student does not score as grade-level proficient in reading 
or language arts at the end of the third grade based on the reading 
or 
language 
arts 
assessments 
administered 
under 
section 
1111(b)(2)(B)(v)(I)(aa) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(v)(I)(aa)) or another assessment 
administered to all third grade students by such school. 
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND OTHER 
PERSONNEL BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Basic Pay, Retired Pay, and Leave 
Sec. 601. Reform of basic pay rates. 
Sec. 602. Policy on postpartum physical fitness tests and body composition assess-
ments. 
Sec. 603. Extension of parental leave to members of the Coast Guard Reserve. 
Sec. 604. Elimination of cap on additional retired pay for extraordinary heroism for 
members of the Army and Air Force who served during the Vietnam 
Era. 
Sec. 605. Calculation of retired pay for certain officers who served in grade O–9 or 
O–10 and retired in grade O–8. 
Subtitle B—Bonus and Incentive Pays 
Sec. 611. One-year extension of certain expiring bonus and special pay authorities. 
Sec. 612. Increase in accession bonus for health professions scholarship and finan-
cial assistance program. 
Sec. 613. Increase in maximum skill proficiency bonus amount.
H. R. 5009—152 
Subtitle C—Allowances 
Sec. 621. Basic needs allowance for members on active service in the Armed Forces: 
expansion of eligibility; increase of amount. 
Sec. 622. Authority to pay basic allowance for housing to junior enlisted members 
on sea duty. 
Sec. 623. Reimbursement of expenses relating to travel for inactive-duty training 
and muster duty. 
Sec. 624. Expansion of travel and transportation allowance to move or store pri-
vately owned vehicles. 
Sec. 625. Extension of authority to pay one-time uniform allowance for officers who 
transfer to the Space Force. 
Sec. 626. Travel and transportation allowances: prohibition of requirement of zero- 
emission vehicle. 
Sec. 627. Evaluation of the rates of the basic allowance for subsistence. 
Sec. 628. Report regarding the calculation of cost-of-living allowances. 
Subtitle D—Family and Survivor Benefits 
Sec. 631. Expansion of eligibility for certain benefits that arise from the death of 
a member of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 632. Extension of time for minor survivors to file death gratuity claims. 
Sec. 633. Parent fees at military child development centers for child care employ-
ees. 
Sec. 634. Information regarding paternal engagement on website of Military 
OneSource. 
Subtitle E—Defense Resale Matters 
Sec. 641. Prohibition on sale of garlic from the People’s Republic of China at com-
missary stores. 
Sec. 642. Sale of certain supplies of the Navy and Marine Corps to certain former 
members of the Coast Guard. 
Subtitle F—Other Benefits, Reports, and Briefings 
Sec. 651. Access to broadband internet access service for certain members of the 
Armed Forces. 
Sec. 652. Extension of exclusion of certain employees from Government lodging pro-
gram. 
Sec. 653. Promotion of tax preparation assistance programs. 
Sec. 654. Pilot program to increase access to food on military installations of the 
Army. 
Subtitle A—Basic Pay, Retired Pay, and 
Leave 
SEC. 601. REFORM OF BASIC PAY RATES. 
Effective April 1, 2025, the rates of monthly basic pay for 
members of the uniformed services within each pay grade (and 
with years of service as computed under section 205 of title 37, 
United States Code) are as follows: 
Commissioned Officers 
Pay 
Grade 
2 Years or 
Less 
Over 2 Years 
Over 3 Years 
Over 4 Years 
Over 6 Years 
O-8 
$13,380.00 
$13,818.90 
$14,109.30 
$14,190.30 
$14,553.60 
O-7 
11,117.70 
11,634.00 
11,873.10 
12,063.60 
12,407.10 
O-6 
8,430.90 
9,261.90 
9,870.00 
9,870.00 
9,907.80 
O-5 
7,028.40 
7,917.30 
8,465.40 
8,568.60 
8,910.90
H. R. 5009—153 
Commissioned Officers—Continued 
O-4 
6,064.20 
7,019.70 
7,488.90 
7,592.40 
8,027.10 
O-3 
5,331.60 
6,044.10 
6,522.60 
7,112.40 
7,453.80 
O-2 
4,606.80 
5,246.70 
6,042.90 
6,247.20 
6,375.30 
O-1 
3,998.40 
4,161.90 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
Over 8 Years 
Over 10 
Years 
Over 12 
Years 
Over 14 
Years 
Over 16 
Years 
O-8 
$15,159.30 
$15,300.60 
$15,876.30 
$16,042.20 
$16,538.10 
O-7 
12,747.30 
13,140.00 
13,531.50 
13,925.10 
15,159.30 
O-6 
10,332.30 
10,388.70 
10,388.70 
10,979.10 
12,022.80 
O-5 
9,114.90 
9,564.90 
9,895.80 
10,322.70 
10,974.30 
O-4 
8,493.60 
9,075.00 
9,526.20 
9,840.60 
10,020.90 
O-3 
7,827.90 
8,069.10 
8,466.60 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
O-2 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
O-1 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
Over 18 
Years 
Over 20 
Years 
Over 22 
Years 
Over 24 
Years 
Over 26 
Years 
O-10 
$0.00 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
O-9 
0.00 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
O-8 
17,256.00 
17,917.20 
18,359.10 
18,359.10 
18,359.10 
O-7 
16,202.10 
16,202.10 
16,202.10 
16,202.10 
16,285.50 
O-6 
12,635.40 
13,247.70 
13,596.30 
13,949.10 
14,632.80 
O-5 
11,285.10 
11,592.30 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
O-4 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
O-3 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
O-2 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
O-1 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
Over 28 
Years 
Over 30 
Years 
Over 32 
Years 
Over 34 
Years 
Over 36 
Years 
O-10 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
O-9 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20
H. R. 5009—154 
Commissioned Officers—Continued 
O-8 
18,359.10 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
O-7 
16,285.50 
16,611.00 
16,611.00 
16,611.00 
16,611.00 
O-6 
14,632.80 
14,925.00 
14,925.00 
14,925.00 
14,925.00 
O-5 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
O-4 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
O-3 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
O-2 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
O-1 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
Over 38 
Years 
Over 40 
Years 
O-10 
$18,808.20 
$18,808.20 
O-9 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
O-8 
18,808.20 
18,808.20 
O-7 
16,611.00 
16,611.00 
O-6 
14,925.00 
14,925.00 
O-5 
11,940.90 
11,940.90 
O-4 
10,125.00 
10,125.00 
O-3 
8,674.50 
8,674.50 
O-2 
6,375.30 
6,375.30 
O–-1 
5,031.30 
5,031.30 
1 Basic pay for officers in pay grades O-7 through O-10 may not exceed the rate of pay for level II of the 
Executive Schedule. This includes officers serving as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant 
of the Marine Corps, Chief of Space Operations, Commandant of the Coast Guard, Chief of the National 
Guard Bureau, or commander of a unified or specified combatant command (as defined in section 161(c) of 
title 10, United States Code). 
2 Basic pay for officers in pay grades O-6 and below may not exceed the rate of pay for level V of the 
Executive Schedule. 
3 This table does not apply to commissioned officers in pay grade O-1, O-2, or O-3 who have been cred-
ited with over 4 years of active-duty service as an enlisted member or warrant officer. 
Commissioned Officers With Over 4 Years of Active Duty Service as an 
Enlisted Member or Warrant Officer 
Pay 
Grade 
2 Years or 
Less 
Over 2 Years 
Over 3 Years 
Over 4 Years 
Over 6 Years
H. R. 5009—155 
Commissioned Officers With Over 4 Years of Active Duty Service as an 
Enlisted Member or Warrant Officer—Continued 
O-3E 
$0.00 
$0.00 
$0.00 
$7,112.40 
$7,453.80 
O-2E 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
6,247.20 
6,375.30 
O-1E 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
5,031.30 
5,372.40 
Over 8 Years 
Over 10 
Years 
Over 12 
Years 
Over 14 
Years 
Over 16 
Years 
O-3E 
$7,827.90 
$8,069.10 
$8,466.60 
$8,802.60 
$8,995.20 
O-2E 
6,578.10 
6,920.70 
7,185.90 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
O-1E 
5,571.30 
5,774.40 
5,973.60 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
Over 18 
Years 
Over 20 
Years 
Over 22 
Years 
Over 24 
Years 
Over 26 
Years 
O-3E 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
O-2E 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
O-1E 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
Over 28 
Years 
Over 30 
Years 
Over 32 
Years 
Over 34 
Years 
Over 36 
Years 
O-3E 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
O-2E 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
O-1E 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
Over 38 
Years 
Over 40 
Years 
O-3E 
$9,257.70 
$9,257.70 
O-2E 
7,383.00 
7,383.00 
O-1E 
6,247.20 
6,247.20 
1 This table applies to commissioned officers in the Reserve Component with more than 1,460 points as 
an enlisted member, a warrant officer, or a warrant officer and an enlisted member, which are creditable 
toward reserve retirement. 
Warrant Officers 
Pay 
Grade 
2 Years or 
Less 
Over 2 Years 
Over 3 Years 
Over 4 Years 
Over 6 Years 
W-4 
$5,510.40 
$5,926.80 
$6,096.90 
$6,264.30 
$6,552.90 
W-3 
5,032.20 
5,241.30 
5,457.00 
5,526.90 
5,752.20
H. R. 5009—156 
Warrant Officers—Continued 
W-2 
4,452.60 
4,873.80 
5,003.10 
5,092.50 
5,380.80 
W-1 
3,908.10 
4,329.30 
4,442.10 
4,681.20 
4,963.50 
Over 8 Years 
Over 10 
Years 
Over 12 
Years 
Over 14 
Years 
Over 16 
Years 
W-4 
$6,838.20 
$7,127.10 
$7,560.90 
$7,941.90 
$8,304.30 
W-3 
6,195.60 
6,657.60 
6,875.10 
7,126.80 
7,385.40 
W-2 
5,829.60 
6,052.50 
6,271.20 
6,539.10 
6,748.50 
W-1 
5,379.90 
5,574.30 
5,847.00 
6,114.30 
6,324.60 
Over 18 
Years 
Over 20 
Years 
Over 22 
Years 
Over 24 
Years 
Over 26 
Years 
W-5 
$0.00 
$9,797.40 
$10,294.50 
$10,665.00 
$11,074.20 
W-4 
8,601.60 
8,891.10 
9,315.60 
9,664.80 
10,062.90 
W-3 
7,851.90 
8,166.30 
8,354.40 
8,554.50 
8,827.20 
W-2 
6,937.80 
7,164.60 
7,313.70 
7,431.90 
7,431.90 
W-1 
6,518.40 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
Over 28 
Years 
Over 30 
Years 
Over 32 
Years 
Over 34 
Years 
Over 36 
Years 
W-5 
$11,074.20 
$11,628.90 
$11,628.90 
$12,209.40 
$12,209.40 
W-4 
10,062.90 
10,263.60 
10,263.60 
10,263.60 
10,263.60 
W-3 
8,827.20 
8,827.20 
8,827.20 
8,827.20 
8,827.20 
W-2 
7,431.90 
7,431.90 
7,431.90 
7,431.90 
7,431.90 
W-1 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
Over 38 
Years 
Over 40 
Years 
W-5 
$12,821.10 
$12,821.10 
W-4 
10,263.60 
10,263.60 
W-3 
8,827.20 
8,827.20 
W-2 
7,431.90 
7,431.90 
W-1 
6,753.60 
6,753.60 
1 Basic pay for warrant officers may not exceed the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.
H. R. 5009—157 
Enlisted Members 
Pay 
Grade 
2 Years or 
Less 
Over 2 Years 
Over 3 Years 
Over 4 Years 
Over 6 Years 
E-7 
$3,788.10 
$4,134.30 
$4,293.00 
$4,502.10 
$4,666.50 
E-6 
3,276.60 
3,606.00 
3,765.00 
3,919.80 
4,080.60 
E-5 
3,220.50 
3,466.50 
3,637.50 
3,802.20 
3,959.40 
E-4 
3,027.30 
3,182.10 
3,354.90 
3,524.70 
3,675.60 
E-3 
2,733.00 
2,904.60 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
E-2 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
E-1 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
Over 8 Years 
Over 10 
Years 
Over 12 
Years 
Over 14 
Years 
Over 16 
Years 
E-9 
$0.00 
$6,657.30 
$6,807.90 
$6,997.80 
$7,221.60 
E-8 
5,449.50 
5,690.70 
5,839.80 
6,018.60 
6,212.10 
E-7 
4,947.60 
5,106.30 
5,387.10 
5,621.40 
5,781.30 
E-6 
4,443.90 
4,585.20 
4,858.80 
4,942.50 
5,003.40 
E-5 
4,142.40 
4,234.50 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
E-4 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
E-3 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
E-2 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
E-1 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
Over 18 
Years 
Over 20 
Years 
Over 22 
Years 
Over 24 
Years 
Over 26 
Years 
E-9 
$7,447.80 
$7,808.40 
$8,114.70 
$8,436.00 
$8,928.60 
E-8 
6,561.90 
6,739.20 
7,040.70 
7,207.80 
7,619.40 
E-7 
5,951.10 
6,017.10 
6,238.20 
6,356.70 
6,808.80 
E-6 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
E-5 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
E-4 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
E-3 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00
H. R. 5009—158 
Enlisted Members—Continued 
E-2 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
E-1 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
Over 28 
Years 
Over 30 
Years 
Over 32 
Years 
Over 34 
Years 
Over 36 
Years 
E-9 
$8,928.60 
$9,374.10 
$9,374.10 
$9,843.30 
$9,843.30 
E-8 
7,619.40 
7,772.10 
7,772.10 
7,772.10 
7,772.10 
E-7 
6,808.80 
6,808.80 
6,808.80 
6,808.80 
6,808.80 
E-6 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
E-5 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
E-4 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
E-3 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
E-2 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
E-1 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
Over 38 
Years 
Over 40 
Years 
E-9 
$10,336.50 
$10,336.50 
E-8 
7,772.10 
7,772.10 
E-7 
6,808.80 
6,808.80 
E-6 
5,074.80 
5,074.80 
E-5 
4,259.70 
4,259.70 
E-4 
3,675.60 
3,675.60 
E-3 
3,081.00 
3,081.00 
E-2 
2,599.20 
2,599.20 
E-1 
2,319.00 
2,319.00 
1 Basic pay for enlisted members may not exceed the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule. 
2 Subject to the preceding footnote, the rate of basic pay for noncommissioned officers serving as Ser-
geant Major of the Army, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy or Coast Guard, Chief Master Sergeant 
of the Air Force, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, Senior 
Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of 
the National Guard Bureau, basic pay for this grade is $10,758.00 per month, regardless of cumulative 
years of service under section 205 of title 37, United States Code. 
3 In the case of members in pay grade E-1 who have served fewer than 4 months on active duty, the 
rate of basic pay is $2,144.10.
H. R. 5009—159 
SEC. 602. POLICY ON POSTPARTUM PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS AND 
BODY COMPOSITION ASSESSMENTS. 
Section 701(k) of title 10, United States Code, is amended, 
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
(1) by striking ‘‘gives birth while on active duty’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, while on active duty, gives birth, loses a pregnancy, 
or has a stillbirth,’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘such birth’’ and inserting ‘‘such birth, loss 
of pregnancy, or stillbirth’’. 
SEC. 603. EXTENSION OF PARENTAL LEAVE TO MEMBERS OF THE 
COAST GUARD RESERVE. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 711 of chapter 40 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended, in subsection (b), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘is a member of the Army, Navy, Marine 
Corps, Air Force, or Space Force who’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Such section— 
(1) is further amended, in subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘clause (i)’’ and inserting ‘‘subpara-
graph (A)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘.;’’ and inserting a period; and 
(2) is redesignated as section 710a of such chapter of such 
title. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on October 1, 2025. 
SEC. 604. ELIMINATION OF CAP ON ADDITIONAL RETIRED PAY FOR 
EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMY 
AND AIR FORCE WHO SERVED DURING THE VIETNAM ERA. 
Title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 1402(f)(2), by striking ‘‘The amount’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except in the case of a member who served during 
the Vietnam Era (as that term is defined in section 12731 
of this title), the amount’’; 
(2) in section 7361(a)(2), by inserting ‘‘(except in the case 
of a member who served during the Vietnam Era, as that 
term is defined in section 12731 of this title)’’ after ‘‘based’’; 
and 
(3) in section 9361(a)(2), by inserting ‘‘(except in the case 
of a member who served during the Vietnam Era, as that 
term is defined in section 12731 of this title)’’ after ‘‘based’’. 
SEC. 605. CALCULATION OF RETIRED PAY FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS 
WHO SERVED IN GRADE O–9 OR O–10 AND RETIRED IN 
GRADE O–8. 
Section 1407(f) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN GRADE 
O–9 OR O–10 AND RETIRED IN GRADE O–8.—In the case of an 
officer who served in the temporary grade of O–9 or O–10 
and received a conditional or final retirement in the permanent 
grade of O–8 pursuant to section 1370 or 1370a of this title, 
the retired pay base or retainer pay shall be the lower of— 
‘‘(A) the amount determined under subsection (c) or 
(d), as applicable; or
H. R. 5009—160 
‘‘(B) the amount determined under section 1406 of this 
title, as if the officer first became a member of a uniformed 
service before September 8, 1980.’’. 
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 members experiencing extended 
and frequent mobilization for active duty service, is amended by 
striking ‘‘December 31, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2025’’. 
(b) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONALS.—The following sections of title 10, United States Code, 
are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2024’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2025’’: 
(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer candidate 
accession program. 
(2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of education 
loans for certain health professionals who serve in the Selected 
Reserve. 
(c) AUTHORITIES RELATING
TO NUCLEAR OFFICERS.—Section 
333(i) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2025’’. 
(d) AUTHORITIES RELATING TO TITLE 37 CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL 
PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AUTHORITIES.—The following sec-
tions of title 37, United States Code, are amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2025’’: 
(1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus authority for 
enlisted members. 
(2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus authority for 
officers. 
(3) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation incentive 
pay and bonus authorities for officers. 
(4) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and incentive 
pay authorities for officers in health professions. 
(5) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus for cadets 
and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps. 
(6) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty pay. 
(7) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or special 
duty pay. 
(8) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay or pro-
ficiency bonus. 
(9) Section 355(h), relating to retention incentives for mem-
bers 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 covered by 
a major disaster declaration or containing an installation 
experiencing an influx of military personnel, by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2025’’; and
H. R. 5009—161 
(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, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 
2025’’. 
SEC. 612. INCREASE IN ACCESSION BONUS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS 
SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 2128(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘$20,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$100,000’’. 
SEC. 613. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM SKILL PROFICIENCY BONUS 
AMOUNT. 
Section 353(c)(2) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘$12,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$55,000’’. 
Subtitle C—Allowances 
SEC. 621. BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS ON ACTIVE 
SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES: EXPANSION OF ELIGI-
BILITY; INCREASE OF AMOUNT. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 402b of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended, in subsection (b)(2)— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(A)’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘150 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘200 per-
cent’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B). 
(b) AMOUNT.—Such section is further amended, in subsection 
(c)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘150 percent (or, in the case of a member 
described in subsection (b)(2)(B), 200 percent)’’ and inserting ‘‘200 
percent’’. 
SEC. 622. AUTHORITY TO PAY BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING TO 
JUNIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS ON SEA DUTY. 
Section 403(f)(2) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subparagraphs (B), 
(C), and (D),’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (B) and (C),’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘pay grade E– 
4 or E–5’’ and inserting ‘‘a pay grade below E–6’’; and 
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘for members 
serving in pay grades E–4 and E–5’’; and 
(3) by striking subparagraph (D). 
SEC. 623. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO TRAVEL FOR 
INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING AND MUSTER DUTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 452 of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(j) TRAVEL FOR INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING AND MUSTER DUTY.— 
(1) If a member of the uniformed services travels more than 50 
miles from the member’s permanent residence (as established under 
paragraph (2)) for training described in paragraph (9) of subsection 
(b) or duty described in paragraph (10) of that subsection, the 
member shall be provided, in the form of actual expenses, in- 
kind, or a combination thereof—
H. R. 5009—162 
‘‘(A) actual and necessary expenses of travel and transpor-
tation for, or in connection with, such travel; and 
‘‘(B) meals, incidentals, and expenses related to such travel, 
to the same extent specified in regulations prescribed under 
section 464 of this title for a member on official travel. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the permanent residence 
of a member— 
‘‘(A) shall be established not later than 30 days after the 
date on which the permanent duty assignment of the member 
begins; and 
‘‘(B) may not be re-established until after the member 
receives subsequent orders for a permanent change of assign-
ment. 
‘‘(3) In the case of a member whose permanent residence 
changes after the date described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
(2) and before the member receives orders described in subpara-
graph (B) of such paragraph, the Secretary concerned may provide 
the member expenses described in paragraph (1) or such other 
reimbursement as the Secretary determines appropriate if the 
member travels more than 50 miles from the new permanent resi-
dence of the member for training described in paragraph (9) of 
subsection (b) or duty described in paragraph (10) of such sub-
section.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply to travel on or after January 1, 2027. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report containing the following elements: 
(1) The estimated marginal cost of the amendment made 
by subsection (a) to the Department of Defense, disaggregated 
by reserve component. 
(2) The estimated total number of members of the Armed 
Forces who would be affected by such amendment. 
(3) Any recommended change to such amendment in order 
to improve efficacy or implementation. 
(4) Any other matter that the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
SEC. 624. EXPANSION OF TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE 
TO MOVE OR STORE PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES. 
Section 453 of title 37, United States Code, is amended, in 
subsection (c)— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘(but not to exceed one 
privately owned vehicle per member household)’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘a privately owned vehicle’’ 
and inserting ‘‘privately owned vehicles’’. 
SEC. 625. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PAY ONE-TIME UNIFORM 
ALLOWANCE FOR OFFICERS WHO TRANSFER TO THE 
SPACE FORCE. 
Subsection (d)(1) of section 606 of the William M. (Mac) 
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Public Law 116–283; 37 U.S.C. 416 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘ending on September 30, 2025’’ and inserting ‘‘ending 
on the last day of the transition period as defined in section 1731 
of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (title XVII of Public 
Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 20001 note)’’.
H. R. 5009—163 
SEC. 626. TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES: PROHIBITION 
OF REQUIREMENT OF ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Joint Travel Regulations for the Uni-
formed Services may not require that travel or transportation be 
in a zero-emission vehicle in order to be eligible a travel or transpor-
tation allowance. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall not be con-
strued to prohibit the payment of such an allowance in the case 
of a member of the uniformed services who uses a zero-emission 
vehicle for travel or transportation that— 
(1) the member owns; or 
(2) is provided to such member by a rental company. 
SEC. 627. EVALUATION OF THE RATES OF THE BASIC ALLOWANCE 
FOR SUBSISTENCE. 
Not later than April 1, 2025, the Secretary of Defense 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 of the basic allowance for subsistence 
under section 402 of title 37, United States Code. Elements of 
such report shall include the following: 
(1) The determination of the Secretary whether such rates 
are sufficient. 
(2) Other factors that could be used to determine such 
rates, including— 
(A) the number of dependents a member of the uni-
formed services has; 
(B) whether the member has access to fresh fruits, 
vegetables, dairy products, and meat; 
(C) whether the member has access to healthy food; 
and 
(D) the local costs of food, including at commissaries 
operated by the Secretary under chapter 147 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(3) The recommendations of the Secretary whether, and 
how, such rates may be improved. 
SEC. 628. REPORT REGARDING THE CALCULATION OF COST-OF-LIVING 
ALLOWANCES. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than April 1, 2025, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding 
the CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA. Such report shall include 
the following elements: 
(1) The factors used to calculate the CONUS COLA and 
OCONUS COLA. 
(2) An explanation of how the factors described in para-
graph (1) are determined. 
(3) An explanation of how the CONUS COLA and OCONUS 
COLA may be adjusted, including— 
(A) timelines for such an adjustment; 
(B) bases for such an adjustment; and 
(C) the relationship between CONUS COLA and 
OCONUS COLA. 
(4) The evaluation of the Secretary whether the surveys 
used to collect data from members to calculate the CONUS 
COLA and OCONUS COLA are effective.
H. R. 5009—164 
(5) The evaluation of the Secretary whether the calculation 
of the CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA is effective. 
(6) The assessment of the Secretary whether the calculation 
of the CONUS COLA or OCONUS COLA should include addi-
tional factors, including— 
(A) the number of dependents a member has; 
(B) vicinity and commissary costs; 
(C) the reimbursement of expenses (including tolls and 
taxes) incurred by a member based on the duty station 
of such member; 
(D) remoteness; 
(E) hardship; 
(F) loss of spousal income; 
(G) the unavailability of goods or services in the vicinity 
of a duty station; and 
(H) any other factor that the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘CONUS COLA’’ means the cost-of-living 
allowance paid to a member of the uniformed services under 
section 403b of title 37, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘OCONUS COLA’’ means a cost-of-living 
allowance paid to a member of the uniformed services on the 
basis that— 
(A) the member is assigned to a permanent duty station 
located outside the continental United States; or 
(B) the dependents of such member reside outside the 
continental United States but not in the vicinity of the 
permanent duty station of such member. 
Subtitle D—Family and Survivor Benefits 
SEC. 631. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS THAT 
ARISE FROM THE DEATH OF A MEMBER OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) DEATH GRATUITY.—Section 1475(a)(4) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘for a period of more than 
13 days’’. 
(b) RECOVERY, CARE, AND DISPOSITION OF REMAINS.—Section 
1481(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(11) Any person not otherwise covered by this section 
whose death entitles a survivor of such person to a death 
gratuity under section 1475 of this title.’’. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM A CASUALTY ASSISTANCE 
OFFICER.—Section 633 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 1475 note) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
H. R. 5009—165 
‘‘(C) an individual not described in subparagraph (A) or 
(B) who is entitled to a death gratuity under section 1475 
of title 10, United States Code.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘spouses and dependents’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘survivors’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘spouses and 
other dependents of deceased members’’ and inserting 
‘‘such survivors’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘the spouse and other 
dependents of a deceased member of the Armed Forces’’ and 
inserting ‘‘such a survivor’’. 
(d) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to a death that occurs on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 632. EXTENSION OF TIME FOR MINOR SURVIVORS TO FILE DEATH 
GRATUITY CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1480 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) In the case of a claim for a death gratuity under this 
chapter by an individual who is younger than 21 years of age 
on the date of the death with respect to which the claim is made, 
the individual shall file the claim with the Secretary of Defense 
not later than the later of— 
‘‘(1) the date that is three years after the individual reaches 
21 years of age; or 
‘‘(2) the date that is six years after the date of the death 
with respect to which the claim is made.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
applies to claims filed with respect to deaths occurring on or after 
on January 1, 2025. 
SEC. 633. PARENT FEES AT MILITARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS 
FOR CHILD CARE EMPLOYEES. 
Section 1793 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsections: 
‘‘(d) CHILD CARE EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT.—In order to support 
recruitment and retention initiatives, the Secretary of Defense shall 
charge reduced fees for the attendance, at a military child develop-
ment center, of the children of a child care employee as follows: 
‘‘(1) For the first child, no fee. 
‘‘(2) For each other child, a fee equal to or less than a 
fee discounted under subsection (c). 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITION OF CONCURRENT DISCOUNTS.—A family may 
not receive discounts under subsections (c) and (d) concurrently.’’. 
SEC. 634. INFORMATION REGARDING PATERNAL ENGAGEMENT ON 
WEBSITE OF MILITARY ONESOURCE. 
Section 561 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 10 U.S.C. 1781 note) is amended, 
in subsection (b)— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (16) as para-
graphs (12) through (17), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting, after paragraph (10), the following new 
paragraph (11): 
‘‘(11) Programs that encourage paternal engagement with 
the family.’’.
H. R. 5009—166 
Subtitle E—Defense Resale Matters 
SEC. 641. PROHIBITION ON SALE OF GARLIC FROM THE PEOPLE’S 
REPUBLIC OF CHINA AT COMMISSARY STORES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2484 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(l) PROHIBITION ON SALE OF GARLIC FROM PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC 
OF CHINA.—The Secretary of Defense shall prohibit the sale at 
any commissary store of fresh or chilled garlic— 
‘‘(1) classified under subheading 0703.20.00 of the Har-
monized Tariff Schedule of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) that originated from, or was processed in, the People’s 
Republic of China.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on January 1, 2026. 
SEC. 642. SALE OF CERTAIN SUPPLIES OF THE NAVY AND MARINE 
CORPS TO CERTAIN FORMER MEMBERS OF THE COAST 
GUARD. 
Section 8803 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘, or the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘, the Space Force, 
or the Coast Guard’’. 
Subtitle F—Other Benefits, Reports, and 
Briefings 
SEC. 651. ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE FOR 
CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 134 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 2265. Access to broadband internet access service for cer-
tain members of the armed forces 
‘‘The Secretary of a military department may provide, to a 
member of the armed forces who resides in military unaccompanied 
housing (as defined in section 2871 of this title) within the United 
States, broadband internet access service, at no cost to such 
member.’’. 
(b) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue policy and 
guidance for implementation of section 2265 of title 10, United 
States Code, as added by this section, that— 
(1) meets or exceeds any speed benchmark established 
for broadband internet access service by the Federal Commu-
nications Commission under section 706 of the Telecommuni-
cations Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302); 
(2) maximizes access to such service in individual rooms 
and spaces; and 
(3) allows reasonable internet access, subject to appropriate 
restrictions applicable to other internet access provided by the 
Secretary to members of the Armed Forces.
H. R. 5009—167 
SEC. 652. EXTENSION OF EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES FROM 
GOVERNMENT LODGING PROGRAM. 
Section 914(b) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public 
Law 113–291; 5 U.S.C. 5911 note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘2029’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) BRIEFINGS REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than February 1, 2025, 
and annually thereafter through February 1, 2030, the 
Secretary shall brief the congressional defense committees 
on the exclusion under paragraph (1) from the requirements 
of a Government lodging program carried out under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—Each briefing required by subpara-
graph (A) shall include, for the year preceding the briefing, 
the following: 
‘‘(i) A description of the instances in which the 
exclusion under paragraph (1) was used. 
‘‘(ii) A description of the lodging used under that 
exclusion. 
‘‘(iii) A statement of the difference in cost between 
lodging used under that exclusion and lodging provided 
under a Government lodging program carried out 
under subsection (a) in each location where lodging 
under the exclusion was used. 
‘‘(iv) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
relevant.’’. 
SEC. 653. PROMOTION OF TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that 
each member of a covered Armed Force receives, not later than 
March 1 of each year, via email or other electronic means, a notice 
regarding the MilTax program and other tax preparation assistance 
programs furnished by the Secretary. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than six months 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 regarding the rates of participation by members of the 
covered Armed Forces in the programs described in subsection 
(a). 
(c) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air 
Force, or Space Force. 
SEC. 654. PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FOOD ON MILI-
TARY INSTALLATIONS OF THE ARMY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall imple-
ment a pilot program to increase access to food on military installa-
tions of the Army for members of the Army who reside on such 
military installations. 
(b) ACCESS.—Food made available under the program under 
this section shall be accessible with a common access card (or 
other means determined appropriate by the Secretary) at dining
H. R. 5009—168 
facilities, commissaries, exchanges, restaurants, and other locations 
where such members can obtain food. 
(c) TERMINATION.—The pilot program under this section shall 
terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days 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 briefing on the implementation of the program under this section. 
Such briefing shall include the following elements: 
(1) The milestones and timeline to complete such 
implementation. 
(2) Resources, including software, hardware, and personnel, 
necessary for such implementation. 
(3) A description of potential barriers to implementation 
of the program, particularly for remote or rural military 
installations, or installations located in geographic areas with 
limited access to food. 
(4) Policies or regulations of the Department of the Army 
that the Secretary determines necessary for such implementa-
tion. 
(5) Recommendations of the Secretary regarding legislation 
necessary for such implementation. 
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health Benefits 
Sec. 701. Access to specialty behavioral health care under TRICARE Prime. 
Sec. 702. Reduction or waiver of cost-sharing amounts under TRICARE pharmacy 
benefits program for certain dependents enrolled in TRICARE Prime 
Remote program. 
Sec. 703. TRICARE program: waiver of referral requirement under TRICARE 
Prime for certain care in a military medical treatment facility. 
Sec. 704. Extension of effective date regarding certain improvements to the 
TRICARE dental program. 
Sec. 705. Program to prevent perinatal mental health conditions in pregnant and 
postpartum members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 706. Guidance on authority to provide travel and transportation allowances for 
specialty care under exceptional circumstances. 
Sec. 707. Contraception coverage parity under the TRICARE program. 
Sec. 708. Prohibition of coverage under TRICARE program of certain medical pro-
cedures for children that could result in sterilization. 
Sec. 709. Demonstration program on cryopreservation and storage of gametes of 
certain members of the Armed Forces. 
Subtitle B—Health Care Administration 
Sec. 711. Identification in patient medical records of affiliation of certain non-De-
partment of Defense health care providers. 
Sec. 712. Extension of enhanced appointment and compensation authority for cer-
tain health care providers. 
Sec. 713. Licensure requirement for certain health care professionals providing cer-
tain examinations to members of the reserve components. 
Sec. 714. Health care licensure portability for TRICARE network providers pro-
viding mental health services to members of the Armed Forces and cer-
tain family members. 
Sec. 715. Expansion of recognition by the Defense Health Agency of certifying bod-
ies for physicians. 
Sec. 716. Waiver with respect to experienced nurses at military medical treatment 
facilities. 
Sec. 717. Improved implementation of financial relief for civilians treated in mili-
tary medical treatment facilities. 
Sec. 718. Retention of health care providers: surveys; briefing; reports. 
Subtitle C—Matters Relating to Brain Health 
Sec. 721. Establishment of Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury 
and Brain Health as program of record.
H. R. 5009—169 
Sec. 722. Brain health and trauma program. 
Sec. 723. Modifications to Brain Health Initiative of Department of Defense. 
Sec. 724. Blast overpressure and traumatic brain injury oversight strategy and ac-
tion plan. 
Sec. 725. Establishment of requirements relating to blast overpressure exposure. 
Subtitle D—Studies, Briefings, Reports, and Other Matters 
Sec. 731. Treatment of expert medical opinions with respect to medical malpractice 
claims by members of the uniformed services. 
Sec. 732. Annual reports on medical malpractice claims by members of the uni-
formed services. 
Sec. 733. Expansion of license reciprocity for veterinarians of Department of De-
fense. 
Sec. 734. Medical countermeasures for overseas personnel of the Department of De-
fense for acute radiation syndrome and thermal burns. 
Sec. 735. Establishment of Indo-Pacific Medical Readiness Program. 
Sec. 736. Reports on suicide among members of the Armed Forces and suicide pre-
vention programs and activities of the Department of Defense. 
Sec. 737. Study of immune response and other effects on members of the Armed 
Forces regarding COVID–19 vaccines. 
Sec. 738. Annual report on recruitment delays relating to medical conditions. 
Sec. 739. Plan to improve access by members of the Armed Forces to safe, high- 
quality pharmaceuticals. 
Sec. 740. Pilot program on delegation of authority to approve reserve component re-
cruits with certain medical conditions. 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health 
Benefits 
SEC. 701. ACCESS TO SPECIALTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE UNDER 
TRICARE PRIME. 
Section 704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 10 U.S.C. 1073 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
section (c): 
‘‘(c) ACCESS TO SPECIALTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE.— 
‘‘(1) MONITORING.—The Secretary shall continuously mon-
itor the ability of beneficiaries under TRICARE Prime to receive 
an appointment for specialty behavioral health care under 
TRICARE Prime within the access standards established under 
subsection (b)(2)(B) for such health care. 
‘‘(2) EXPANSION
OF
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH
ACCREDITATION 
STANDARDS.— 
‘‘(A) DETERMINATIONS.—The Secretary shall expand 
required behavioral health accreditation standards in a 
State if the Secretary makes the following determinations: 
‘‘(i) Access to specialty behavioral health care in 
that State fails to meet the access standards estab-
lished under subsection (b)(2)(B) for more than 12 
consecutive months. 
‘‘(ii) The expanded accreditation standards are ade-
quate to ensure quality of care. 
‘‘(B) STATE CREDENTIALS.—The Secretary may include 
in expanded behavioral health accreditation standards 
under subparagraph (A) appropriate credentials issued by 
State-level organizations. 
‘‘(C) BRIEFINGS.—If the Secretary expands behavioral 
health accreditation standards under subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives
H. R. 5009—170 
a briefing on such expansion, including how such expansion 
affects access to specialty behavioral health care. 
‘‘(D) NOTIFICATIONS.—If the Secretary makes a deter-
mination under clause (i) of subparagraph (A), but does 
not make a determination under clause (ii) of such subpara-
graph, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a notice explaining both such determinations. 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION.—The authority of the Secretary under 
this subsection shall terminate on January 1, 2028.’’. 
SEC. 702. REDUCTION OR WAIVER OF COST-SHARING AMOUNTS UNDER 
TRICARE PHARMACY BENEFITS PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN 
DEPENDENTS ENROLLED IN TRICARE PRIME REMOTE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 1074g(a)(6) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the Sec-
retary may selectively waive or reduce cost-sharing amounts under 
this subsection for a dependent of a member of the uniformed 
services described in section 1074(c)(3)(B) of this title if the 
dependent is enrolled in the TRICARE Prime Remote program 
and accompanies the member to the duty assignment of the member 
at the expense of the Federal Government.’’. 
SEC. 703. TRICARE PROGRAM: WAIVER OF REFERRAL REQUIREMENT 
UNDER TRICARE PRIME FOR CERTAIN CARE IN A MILI-
TARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY. 
Section 1095f(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall waive the referral requirement in 
paragraph (1) in the case of a member of the armed forces serving 
on active duty who seeks to obtain any of the following kinds 
of care in a military medical treatment facility: 
‘‘(i) Physical therapy. 
‘‘(ii) Nutritional. 
‘‘(iii) Audiological. 
‘‘(iv) Optometric. 
‘‘(v) Podiatric.’’. 
SEC. 704. EXTENSION OF EFFECTIVE DATE REGARDING CERTAIN 
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRICARE DENTAL PROGRAM. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 1076a of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘January 1, 2026’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2027’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING; BRIEFING.—Section 701 of the James M. 
Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 
(Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 1076a note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘January 1, 2025’’ 
and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2026’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘January 1, 2026’’ 
and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2027’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘and 2026’’ and inserting 
‘‘2026, and 2027’’.
H. R. 5009—171 
SEC. 705. PROGRAM TO PREVENT PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CONDI-
TIONS IN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through 
the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall 
carry out a program to improve clinical and nonclinical services 
targeting mental health conditions in pregnant and postpartum 
members of the Armed Forces and spouses of members during 
the perinatal period. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the program 
under subsection (a) includes the following: 
(1) Access to support resources during the perinatal period, 
including— 
(A) identification of symptoms of perinatal mental 
health conditions, brief intervention by primary care pro-
viders, referral to care, and treatment; 
(B) targeted nonmedical counseling services through 
the Department of Defense Military and Family Life Coun-
seling Program of the Office of Military Family Readiness 
Policy under section 1781 of title 10, United States Code; 
(C) existing parenting resiliency programs of the mili-
tary departments; 
(D) adherence to clinical practice guidelines in military 
medical treatment facilities in support of members of the 
uniformed services and dependents with a diagnosed 
mental health condition requiring clinical intervention, 
including through primary care services and women’s 
health clinics, in collaboration with behavioral health serv-
ices; and 
(E) prenatal and postnatal support programs at mili-
tary medical treatment facilities that provide group coun-
seling modeled after best clinical practices, such as the 
Centering Pregnancy program. 
(2) A process for informing pregnant and postpartum mem-
bers of the Armed Forces and spouses of members of nonmedical 
and clinical support services during the perinatal period. 
(3) A communications strategy to increase awareness of 
the services available under the program. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 2025, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a report on the program under sub-
section (a) that includes the following: 
(1) A description of the range of activities included in 
the program and data assessing the effectiveness or short-
comings of such activities. 
(2) How resources are allocated for the purpose of estab-
lishing and maintaining perinatal support programs at military 
medical treatment facilities. 
(3) Measurements for adherence to evidence-based protocols 
at military medical treatment facilities with respect to identi-
fying potential mental health issues. 
(4) Assessment of current training and credentials required 
for health care providers providing perinatal services and 
consideration for further certifications, such as the Perinatal 
Mental Health Certification.
H. R. 5009—172 
(5) Feasibility and advisability of adding specialized 
perinatal mental health support services via a helpline through 
Military One Source. 
(6) Recommendations for administrative or legislative 
changes to improve the effectiveness of the program. 
(d) PERINATAL PERIOD DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘perinatal period’’ means the period beginning with pregnancy 
through one year following childbirth. 
SEC. 706. GUIDANCE ON AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TRAVEL AND 
TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES FOR SPECIALTY CARE 
UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue guidance with respect 
to the authority of the Secretary under section 1074i(b) of title 
10, United States Code. 
SEC. 707. CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE PARITY UNDER THE TRICARE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) PHARMACY BENEFITS PROGRAM.—Section 1074g(a)(6) of title 
10, United States Code, as amended by section 702, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the cost- 
sharing amount under this subsection for any prescription contra-
ceptive on the uniform formulary provided through a retail phar-
macy described in paragraph (2)(E)(ii) or through the national mail- 
order pharmacy program is $0.’’. 
(b) TRICARE SELECT.—Section 1075(f) of such title is 
amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting ‘‘OTHER EXCEP-
TIONS TO COST-SHARING REQUIREMENTS’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘A beneficiary enrolled’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
the cost-sharing amount under this section for any beneficiary 
enrolled in TRICARE Select for a service described in subparagraph 
(B) that is provided by a network provider is $0. 
‘‘(B) A service described in this subparagraph is any contracep-
tive method approved, cleared, or authorized under section 505, 
510(k), 513(f)(2), or 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (21 U.S.C. 355, 360(k), 360c(f)(2), 360e), any contraceptive care 
(including with respect to insertion, removal, and follow up), any 
sterilization procedure, or any patient education or counseling 
service provided in connection with any such contraceptive, care, 
or procedure.’’. 
(c) TRICARE PRIME.—Section 1075a of such title is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) PROHIBITION ON COST-SHARING FOR CERTAIN SERVICES.— 
(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the cost- 
sharing amount under this section for any beneficiary enrolled 
in TRICARE Prime for a service described in subparagraph (B) 
that is provided under TRICARE Prime is $0. 
‘‘(B) A service described in this subparagraph is any contracep-
tive method approved, cleared, or authorized under section 505, 
510(k), 513(f)(2), or 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (21 U.S.C. 355, 360(k), 360c(f)(2), 360e), any contraceptive care 
(including with respect to insertion, removal, and follow up), any 
sterilization procedure, or any patient education or counseling
H. R. 5009—173 
service provided in connection with any such contraceptive, care, 
or procedure.’’. 
(d) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 55 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) Paragraph (4) of section 1075(c) is— 
(A) transferred to subsection (f), as amended by sub-
section (b) of this section; 
(B) inserted after paragraph (2); and 
(C) redesignated as paragraph (3). 
(2) Paragraph (4) of section 1075a(a) is— 
(A) transferred to subsection (d), as added by sub-
section (c) of this section; 
(B) inserted after paragraph (1); and 
(C) redesignated as paragraph (2). 
SEC. 708. PROHIBITION OF COVERAGE UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM OF 
CERTAIN MEDICAL PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN THAT 
COULD RESULT IN STERILIZATION. 
Section 1079(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(20) Medical interventions for the treatment of gender 
dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided 
to a child under the age of 18.’’. 
SEC. 709. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON CRYOPRESERVATION AND 
STORAGE OF GAMETES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall carry out a demonstration program to reimburse covered 
members 
for 
expenses 
incurred 
in 
the 
retrieval, 
testing, 
cryopreservation, shipping, and storage of gametes of such covered 
members in a private storage facility determined appropriate by 
the Secretary. 
(b) ELEMENTS.— 
(1) AMOUNT
OF
REIMBURSEMENT.—A covered member 
participating in the demonstration program shall receive not 
more than the following amounts per year: 
(A) $500 in the case of a member who preserves sperm. 
(B) $10,000 in the case of a member who preserves 
eggs. 
(2) INFORMATION.— 
(A) PROVIDERS.—The Secretary shall provide to a cov-
ered member participating in the demonstration program 
information regarding providers of services described in 
subsection (a) located near the covered member. 
(B) PROMOTION.—The Secretary shall promote the dem-
onstration program to covered members in the course of 
annual 
health 
examinations 
and 
pre-deployment 
screenings. 
(3) USE
OF
MILITARY
MEDICAL
TREATMENT
FACILITIES.— 
The Secretary shall encourage the use of military medical treat-
ment facilities that offer services described in subsection (a) 
to provide services under the demonstration program. 
(c) DURATION.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) publish in the Federal Register the date on which 
the Secretary will commence carrying out the demonstration 
program; and
H. R. 5009—174 
(2) carry out the demonstration program for a three-year 
period beginning on such date. 
(d) NO LIABILITY OR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.—The United 
States shall not be— 
(1) considered a party to any agreement between a covered 
member who participates in the demonstration program and 
a private gamete storage facility; or 
(2) 
responsible 
for 
the 
management 
of 
gametes 
cryopreserved or stored for which a covered member receives 
reimbursement under such demonstration program. 
(e) ADVANCED MEDICAL DIRECTIVE.—A covered member who 
participates in the demonstration program shall complete an 
advanced medical directive that specifies how gametes preserved 
under the demonstration program shall be handled upon the death 
of such covered member. 
(f) REPORTS; BRIEFINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL
REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate a report containing a plan to 
implement the demonstration program. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the Secretary 
commences carrying out the demonstration program, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of 
the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the 
demonstration program. Such report shall include the following: 
(A) Usage by covered members. 
(B) Demographics of participating covered members. 
(C) Costs of services to participating covered members. 
(D) The feasibility of expanding the demonstration pro-
gram. 
(E) The feasibility of making the demonstration pro-
gram permanent. 
(F) Other information determined appropriate by the 
Secretary. 
(3) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 
duration of the demonstration program, the Secretary shall 
provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on— 
(A) the design, use, and costs of the demonstration 
project; and 
(B) any other observations of the Secretary with respect 
to the demonstration project, such as the effects of the 
demonstration project on recruitment and retention. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered member’’ means a member of a 
covered Armed Force serving on active duty— 
(A) who has received orders (including deployment 
orders) for duty for which the member may receive haz-
ardous duty pay under section 351 of title 37, United 
States Code; 
(B) whom the Secretary determines is likely to receive 
such orders in the next 120 days; 
(C) who will, under orders, be geographically separated 
from a spouse, domestic partner, or dating partner for 
a period of not less than 180 days, including sea duty; 
or
H. R. 5009—175 
(D) whose application to participate in the demonstra-
tion program is approved by the Secretary. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. 
(3) The term ‘‘deployment’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 991(b) of title 10, United States Code. 
Subtitle B—Health Care Administration 
SEC. 711. IDENTIFICATION IN PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS OF AFFILI-
ATION OF CERTAIN NON-DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. 
Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after section 1091 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1091a. Identification in patient medical records of affili-
ation of certain non-Department of Defense health 
care providers 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that 
medical records of the Department of Defense include the organiza-
tional affiliation of any independent health care contractor identified 
in such medical records. 
‘‘(b) INDEPENDENT HEALTH CARE CONTRACTOR DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘independent health care contractor’ means 
a health care provider who meets the following criteria: 
‘‘(1) The health care provider is a nonpersonal services 
contractor, or an employee of such a contractor, pursuant to 
subpart 37.4 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, or other 
applicable regulation. 
‘‘(2) The health care provider provides health care services 
under this chapter in any military medical treatment facility 
(as defined in section 1073c(i) of this title) or other location 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, including 
an operational clinic.’’. 
SEC. 712. EXTENSION OF ENHANCED APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSA-
TION AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PRO-
VIDERS. 
Section 1599c(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2025’’ both places it appears and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2030’’. 
SEC. 713. LICENSURE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN HEALTH CARE 
PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING CERTAIN EXAMINATIONS TO 
MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS. 
Section 1094(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting ‘‘an examination or assessment under section 10206 
of this title or’’ after ‘‘not covered under section 1091 of this title 
who is providing’’. 
SEC. 714. HEALTH CARE LICENSURE PORTABILITY FOR TRICARE NET-
WORK PROVIDERS PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 
TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND CERTAIN 
FAMILY MEMBERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1094(d) of title 10, United States 
Code, as amended by section 713, is further amended—
H. R. 5009—176 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘paragraph (2) or (3)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (2), (3), or (4)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) To the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary for the purpose of assuring the availability of high-quality 
mental health care services to members of the armed forces and 
dependents entitled to health care under section 1076 of this title, 
a health care professional referred to in paragraph (1) as being 
described in this paragraph is a mental health provider providing 
care through a network under the TRICARE program who— 
‘‘(A) has a current license to practice as a mental health 
care professional; 
‘‘(B) is providing tele-mental health care services to mem-
bers of the armed forces or such dependents; and 
‘‘(C) is providing such services under terms and conditions 
specified by the Secretary (which shall establish the scope 
of authorized Federal duties for purposes of paragraph (1)).’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue 
an interim final regulation to implement the amendments made 
by subsection (a). 
SEC. 715. EXPANSION OF RECOGNITION BY THE DEFENSE HEALTH 
AGENCY OF CERTIFYING BODIES FOR PHYSICIANS. 
(a) EXPANSION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense Health 
Agency shall revise the policy of the Defense Health Agency 
regarding the credentialing and privileging under the military 
health system to expand the recognition of certifying bodies for 
physicians under such policy to a wide range of additional board 
certifications in medical specialties and subspecialties. Subject to 
subsection (b), the following certifying bodies shall be so recognized: 
(1) The member boards of the American Board of Medical 
Specialties. 
(2) The Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American 
Osteopathic Association. 
(3) The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 
(4) The American Board of Podiatric Medicine. 
(5) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 
(b) STANDARDS
FOR
RECOGNITION
OF
OTHER
CERTIFYING 
BODIES.—To be recognized under subsection (a), a certifying body 
shall— 
(1) be an organization described in section 501(c) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 
section 501(a) of that Code; 
(2) maintain a process to define, periodically review, 
enforce, and update specific standards regarding knowledge 
and skills of the specialty or subspecialty; 
(3) administer a psychometrically valid assessment to 
determine whether a physician meets standards for initial cer-
tification, recertification, or continuing certification; 
(4) establish and enforce a code of professional conduct; 
(5) require that, in order to be considered a board certified 
specialty physician, a physician must satisfy— 
(A) the certifying body’s applicable requirements for 
initial certification; and
H. R. 5009—177 
(B) any applicable recertification or continuing certifi-
cation requirements of the certifying body that granted 
the initial certification; and 
(6) meets such other requirements as the Secretary of 
Defense may establish for purposes of compliance with appro-
priate requirements of applicable State laws and the promotion 
of consistency in credentialing and privileging health care pro-
viders throughout military medical treatment facilities of the 
Defense Health Agency. 
SEC. 716. WAIVER WITH RESPECT TO EXPERIENCED NURSES AT MILI-
TARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The hiring manager of a military medical 
treatment facility or other health care facility of the Department 
of Defense may waive any General Schedule qualification standard 
related to work experience established by the Director of the Office 
of Personnel Management in the case of any applicant for a nursing 
or practical nurse position in a military medical treatment facility 
or other health care facility of the Department of Defense who— 
(1)(A) is a nurse or practical nurse in the Department 
of Defense; or 
(B) was a nurse or practical nurse in the Department 
of Defense for at least one year; and 
(2) after commencing work as a nurse or practical nurse 
in the Department of Defense, obtained a bachelor’s degree 
or graduate degree from an accredited professional nursing 
educational program. 
(b) CERTIFICATION.—If, in the case of any applicant described 
in subsection (a), a hiring manager waives a qualification standard 
in accordance with such subsection, such hiring manager shall 
submit to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
a certification that such applicant meets all remaining General 
Schedule qualification standards established by the Director of the 
Office of Personnel Management for the applicable position. 
SEC. 717. IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR 
CIVILIANS TREATED IN MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT 
FACILITIES. 
(a) FINAL RULE REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
issue a final rule (or interim final rule) to implement as soon 
as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act section 
1079b of title 10, United States Code. 
(b) TREATMENT OF CLAIMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
Secretary shall hold in abeyance any claims under section 
1079b of title 10, United States Code, until the final rule 
(or interim final rule) required under subsection (a) is in effect. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) does not apply to— 
(A) claims to third-party payers; or 
(B) administrative support provided to the Secretary 
by another Federal agency to assist the Secretary in the 
administration of section 1079b of title 10, United States 
Code.
H. R. 5009—178 
SEC. 718. RETENTION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: SURVEYS; 
BRIEFING; REPORTS. 
(a) SURVEYS.—The Secretary of a military department shall 
conduct an annual survey of health care providers under the juris-
diction of such Secretary to determine why such providers remain 
on, or separate from, active duty in such military department. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of a military department shall 
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a briefing regarding the plan of such 
Secretary to carry out the survey under this section. 
(c) REPORTS.—Not later than September 30 of each year, begin-
ning in 2025, the Secretary of a military department shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report regarding the most recent survey under 
this section. 
(1) ELEMENTS.—Each report shall include the following 
elements: 
(A) 
Demographic 
data 
regarding 
the 
providers, 
disaggregated under paragraph (2). 
(B) Reasons providers gave for remaining. 
(C) Reasons providers gave for separating. 
(D) The determination of the Secretary whether there 
is a trend regarding retention or such reasons. 
(E) Efforts of the Secretary to reverse a negative trend 
or encourage a positive trend. 
(F) Legislative recommendations of the Secretary 
regarding how to reverse a negative trend or encourage 
a positive trend. 
(2) DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.—In each report, the Secretary of 
a military department shall disaggregate demographic data 
regarding providers who participated in the most recent survey 
on the bases of the following categories: 
(A) Medical specialty. 
(B) Rank. 
(C) Gender. 
(D) Years of service in such military department. 
(E) Whether the provider became an officer on active 
duty in such military department— 
(i) pursuant to the Armed Forces Health Profes-
sions Scholarship and Financial Assistance program 
under subchapter I of chapter 105 of title 10, United 
States Code; 
(ii) after graduating from the Uniformed Services 
University of the Health Sciences established under 
section 2112 of such title; or 
(iii) otherwise. 
(d) TERMINATION.—This section shall cease to have effect on 
September 30, 2030.
H. R. 5009—179 
Subtitle C—Matters Relating to Brain 
Health 
SEC. 721. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEFENSE INTREPID NETWORK FOR 
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND BRAIN HEALTH AS PRO-
GRAM OF RECORD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary 
of Defense shall establish the Defense Intrepid Network for Trau-
matic Brain Injury and Brain Health (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Network’’) headquartered at the National Intrepid Center 
of Excellence as a program of record subject to milestone reviews 
and compliance with the requirements under this section. 
(b) DUTIES.—The duties of the Network are as follows: 
(1) To provide clinical care to prevent, diagnose, treat, 
and rehabilitate members of the Armed Forces with traumatic 
brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, symptoms from 
blast overpressure or blast exposure, and other mental health 
conditions. 
(2) To promote standardization of care among the 10 
Intrepid Spirit Centers throughout the continental United 
States, brain health clinics in Alaska and Germany, and other 
sites as designated by the Director of the Defense Health 
Agency as being a part of the long-term brain health strategy 
of the Department of Defense. 
(3) To support and conduct research and education on 
traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, blast 
overpressure or blast exposure, and other mental health condi-
tions. 
(c) ANNUAL BRIEFING.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period 
of five years, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a briefing that shall include, for the year covered by the 
briefing— 
(1) the number of individuals to whom the Network has 
provided services; 
(2) the number of individuals who return to active duty 
in the Armed Forces after receiving services from the Network, 
and the stage in their career at which they seek treatment 
at the Network; 
(3) the number of individuals whose families are able to 
participate in programs provided by the Network; and 
(4) the number of individuals on a waitlist for treatment 
at the Network and the average period those individuals are 
on the waitlist. 
SEC. 722. BRAIN HEALTH AND TRAUMA PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
an intensive comprehensive brain health and trauma program to— 
(1) provide multidisciplinary specialist evaluations, treat-
ment initiation, and aftercare for members of the Armed Forces 
and dependents of members; and 
(2) make evidence-based improvements in such evaluations, 
treatment, and aftercare. 
(b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the 
program under subsection (a) includes the following:
H. R. 5009—180 
(1) Initiatives of the Defense Health Agency that provide 
coordinated evaluations, treatment, and aftercare for traumatic 
brain injuries and related conditions, that incorporates special-
ized evaluations, innovative and evidence-based treatments, 
and comprehensive follow-up care. 
(2) Collaboration with private sector nonprofit health care 
organizations involved in innovative clinical activities in brain 
health and trauma care, including transitional and residential 
brain injury treatment programs. 
(3) One or more pilot programs for demonstrating the 
effectiveness of intensive outpatient multidisciplinary specialist 
treatment and care coordination. 
(4) Incorporation of evidence-based therapy with com-
plementary and alternative medicine approaches. 
(5) Thorough evaluations of the effectiveness of innovative 
activities for diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of brain 
trauma and promotion of brain health. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than December 31, 2025, the Secretary 
shall provide to the Armed Services Committees of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a briefing on the program under 
subsection (a). Such briefing shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the range of activities included in 
the program and data assessing the effectiveness or short-
comings of such activities. 
(2) The scope of each pilot program carried out under 
subsection (b)(3). 
(3) Recommendations for administrative or legislative 
changes to improve the effectiveness of the program. 
SEC. 723. MODIFICATIONS TO BRAIN HEALTH INITIATIVE OF DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 735 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 
1071 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) In accordance with subsection (c), the identifica-
tion and dissemination of thresholds for blast exposure 
and overpressure safety and associated emerging scientific 
evidence that— 
‘‘(i) cover brain injury and impulse noise; 
‘‘(ii) measure impact over 24-hour, 72-hour to 96- 
hour, monthly, annual, and lifetime periods; 
‘‘(iii) are designed to prevent cognitive deficits after 
firing; 
‘‘(iv) account for the cumulative impact of firing 
multiple weapon systems during the same period; 
‘‘(v) include minimum safe distances and levels 
of exposure for observers and instructors; and 
‘‘(vi) address shoulder-fired heavy weapons.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graphs: 
‘‘(H) The establishment of a standardized treatment 
program based on interventions that have shown benefit 
to individuals with brain health issues after a brain injury 
and the provision of that treatment program to individuals
H. R. 5009—181 
with brain health issues after a brain injury resulting 
from a potential brain exposure described in subparagraph 
(A) or high-risk training or occupational activities described 
in subparagraph (D). 
‘‘(I) The establishment of policies to encourage mem-
bers of the Armed Forces to seek medical treatment for 
brain health when needed, prevent retaliation against such 
members who seek such medical treatment, and address 
other barriers to seeking medical treatment for brain health 
due to the impact of blast exposure, blast overpressure, 
or traumatic brain injury. 
‘‘(J) The modification of existing weapons systems to 
reduce blast exposure of the individual using the weapon 
and those within the minimum safe distance.’’; 
(2) by striking subsections (c), (e), and (f); 
(3) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f); 
(4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) THRESHOLDS
FOR BLAST EXPOSURE
AND OVERPRESSURE 
SAFETY.— 
‘‘(1) TIMING.— 
‘‘(A) INITIAL THRESHOLDS.—Not later than January 1, 
2027, the Secretary of Defense shall identify and dissemi-
nate the thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure 
safety under subsection (b)(1)(B). 
‘‘(B) PERIODIC UPDATES.—On a quinquennial basis, the 
Secretary shall review and, as necessary, update the 
thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety under 
subsection (b)(1)(B). 
‘‘(2) FORMAL TRAINING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that training on the thresholds for blast exposure and 
overpressure safety is provided to members of the Armed Forces 
before training, deployment, or entering other high-risk 
environments where exposure to blast overpressure is likely. 
‘‘(3) CENTRAL REPOSITORY.—Not later than January 1, 2027, 
the Secretary shall establish a central repository of blast-related 
characteristics, such as pressure profiles and common blast 
loads associated with specific systems and the environments 
in which the systems are used. 
‘‘(4) WAIVERS.— 
‘‘(A) PROTOCOLS.—The Secretary may waive the thresh-
olds for blast exposure and overpressure safety under sub-
section (b)(1)(B) for operational or training requirements 
that the Secretary determines are essential to national 
security. The Secretary shall include in each such waiver 
a justification for exceeding such thresholds. 
‘‘(B) TRACKING SYSTEM.—The Secretary shall establish 
a Department of Defense-wide tracking system for waivers 
issued under subparagraph (A) that includes data contrib-
uted by the Secretary of each military department. 
‘‘(C) REPORT ON WAIVERS.—Not later than one year 
after issuing a waiver under subparagraph (A) and 
annually thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
report on such waivers that includes—
H. R. 5009—182 
‘‘(i) the number of waivers issued, disaggregated 
by military department; and 
‘‘(ii) a description of actions taken by the Secretary 
concerned to track the health effects of exceeding 
thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety 
on members of the Armed Forces, document such 
effects in medical records, and provide care to such 
members.’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or other remote 
measurement technology’’ after ‘‘wearable sensors’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) WEAPONS
USE.—Monitoring activities under a pilot 
program conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be carried 
out for any member of the Armed Forces firing tier 1 weapons 
in training or combat, as identified by the Secretary of 
Defense.’’; and 
(6) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new sub-
section (e): 
‘‘(e) REPORTS ON WARFIGHTER BRAIN HEALTH INITIATIVE.—Not 
later than December 31, 2025, and not less frequently than annually 
thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a report that includes the following: 
‘‘(1) A description of the activities taken under the Initiative 
and resources expended under the Initiative during the prior 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) The number of members of the Armed Forces impacted 
by blast overpressure and blast exposure in the prior fiscal 
year, including— 
‘‘(A) the number of members who reported adverse 
health effects from blast overpressure or blast exposure; 
‘‘(B) the number of members exposed to blast over-
pressure or blast exposure; 
‘‘(C) the number of members who received treatment 
for injuries related to blast overpressure or blast exposure, 
including at facilities of the Department of Defense and 
at facilities in the private sector; and 
‘‘(D) the type of care that members receive from facili-
ties of the Department of Defense and the type of care 
that members receive from facilities in the private sector. 
‘‘(3) A summary of the progress made during the prior 
fiscal year with respect to the objectives of the Initiative under 
subsection (b). 
‘‘(4) A description of the steps the Secretary is taking 
to ensure that activities under the Initiative are being imple-
mented across the Department of Defense and the military 
departments.’’. 
SEC. 724. BLAST OVERPRESSURE AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY 
OVERSIGHT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN. 
(a) STRATEGY AND PLAN REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall develop and implement a traumatic brain injury oversight 
strategy and action plan that includes, at a minimum, the following: 
(1) Assigned roles and responsibilities for the components 
of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the mitigation, 
identification, and treatment of traumatic brain injury and
H. R. 5009—183 
the monitoring and documentation of blast overpressure expo-
sure. 
(2) Standardized monitoring, treatment, and referral guide-
lines for traumatic brain injury programs across all covered 
Armed Forces. 
(3) A review and update of the current brain injury diag-
nostic tools used by such programs. 
(4) Standardized, 72-hour follow-up requirements for all 
traumatic brain injury patients, including protocols for the 
treatment and observation during such follow-up appointments. 
(5) Oversight and documentation standards to aid in data 
collection. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall implement the over-
sight strategy and action plan under subsection (a) not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) SUBMISSION TO GAO.—Upon development of the oversight 
strategy and action plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Comptroller General of the United States the over-
sight strategy and action plan. 
(d) COVERED ARMED FORCES DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘covered Armed Forces’’ means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, 
Air Force, and Space Force. 
SEC. 725. ESTABLISHMENT OF REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO BLAST 
OVERPRESSURE EXPOSURE. 
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish— 
(1) performance parameters to minimize exposure to blast 
overpressure when drafting requirements for new weapon sys-
tems for the Department of Defense, taking into account the 
thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety identified 
pursuant to section 735(b)(1) of the James M. Inhofe National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 
117–263; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note), as amended by section 723; 
(2) with respect to contractual agreements entered into 
by any entity and the Department of Defense as part of the 
defense weapon acquisition process on or after the date on 
which such parameters are established, a requirement that 
the entity shall provide to the Secretary blast overpressure 
measurements and safety data for a weapon system procured 
under such agreement that produces blast overpressure that 
exceeds such thresholds; and 
(3) a requirement that any test plan for a new weapon 
system shall incorporate testing for blast overpressure measure-
ments and safety data. 
Subtitle D—Studies, Briefings, Reports, 
and Other Matters 
SEC. 731. TREATMENT OF EXPERT MEDICAL OPINIONS WITH RESPECT 
TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIMS BY MEMBERS OF THE 
UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
Section 2733a of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘subsection (g)’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (h)’’;
H. R. 5009—184 
(2) in subsection (f)(1), by inserting ‘‘, and information 
regarding the qualifications of each such expert who provided 
an expert medical opinion’’ before the semicolon; 
(3) by redesignating subsections (g) through (j) as sub-
sections (h) through (k), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new sub-
section (g): 
‘‘(g) EXPERT MEDICAL OPINIONS.—In using an expert medical 
opinion to evaluate a claim under this section, the Secretary of 
Defense shall use the opinion of— 
‘‘(1) an individual who is board-certified in the medical 
specialty with respect to that claim; or 
‘‘(2) if the claim involves medical, dental, or related health 
care functions for which board certification does not apply, 
an individual who is a highly qualified expert regarding the 
relevant medical, dental, or related health care function.’’. 
SEC. 732. ANNUAL REPORTS ON MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIMS BY 
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
Subsection (j) of section 2733a of title 10, United States Code, 
as redesignated by section 731, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(j) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not less frequently than annually until 
2028, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
a report on claims processed under this section that includes, with 
respect to the period covered by the report, the following: 
‘‘(1) The number of claims processed under this section. 
‘‘(2) The average timeline for resolving such claims. 
‘‘(3) The resolution of each such claim. 
‘‘(4) The number of claims that were denied based on the 
claim not meeting one or more requirement specified in sub-
section (b) (other than for not being substantiated pursuant 
to paragraph (6)), disaggregated by each such requirement. 
‘‘(5) Any other information that the Secretary determines 
may enhance the effectiveness of the claims process under 
this section.’’. 
SEC. 733. EXPANSION OF LICENSE RECIPROCITY FOR VETERINARIANS 
OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 1060c of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘in emergencies’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘for the purposes described 
in subsection (c)’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (c). 
SEC. 734. MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR OVERSEAS PERSONNEL 
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR ACUTE RADI-
ATION SYNDROME AND THERMAL BURNS. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
establish a program to develop requirements for the procurement, 
pre-positioning, and maintenance of medical countermeasures 
approved, cleared, licensed, or authorized by the Food and Drug 
Administration to diagnose, prevent, and treat acute radiation syn-
drome and thermal burns for use by covered personnel. 
(b) PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS.—In carrying out the program 
required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider,
H. R. 5009—185 
in coordination with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
and the commanders of the combatant commands, the following: 
(1) The number of covered personnel in areas in which 
the use of tactical nuclear weapons is a substantial threat. 
(2) Peer-reviewed and published scientific studies regarding 
safety and efficacy of the potential countermeasures described 
in subsection (a). 
(3) Operational requirements of the Department. 
(4) Appropriate doctrine, training, and operational plans 
for effective use of such countermeasures. 
(5) A feasible schedule for implementation of the program. 
(c) COVERED PERSONNEL DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered personnel’’ means— 
(1) members of the Armed Forces deployed outside the 
United States; and 
(2) civilian employees of the Department of Defense 
deployed outside the United States. 
SEC. 735. ESTABLISHMENT OF INDO-PACIFIC MEDICAL READINESS 
PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall establish a medical readiness program 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Program’’) to partner with 
countries in the Indo-Pacific region to gain access to foreign 
medical facilities during peacetime and wartime operations and 
maintain military-wide strategies for medical readiness in the 
region. 
(2) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Program shall be to 
promote the medical readiness of the Armed Forces and the 
military forces of partner countries for missions during peace-
time and wartime operations by— 
(A) reducing the movement and distance associated 
with patient care; 
(B) increasing the medical capacity of the Department 
of Defense by expanding patient access to medical facilities 
across the Indo-Pacific region, where and when appropriate; 
(C) enhancing medical evacuation capabilities needed 
in carrying out subparagraphs (A) and (B); 
(D) accrediting foreign medical facilities, which will 
standardize medical procedures, patient care, and policies 
related to treating members of the Armed Forces and their 
dependents; 
(E) enhancing interoperability and interchangeability 
through shared patient record management, medical equip-
ment commonality, and coordination of medical care; and 
(F) identifying any medical support and capability gaps 
relating to medical personnel and equipment. 
(3) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall— 
(A) assess and integrate current medical capabilities 
and capacities of the Department of Defense in the Indo- 
Pacific region into the Program; 
(B) select an appropriate standard of accreditation to 
evaluate and accredit foreign medical facilities; 
(C) coordinate with partner countries to identify and 
evaluate medical facilities for the Program;
H. R. 5009—186 
(D) establish agreements with foreign medical facilities 
for potential use of the Program; 
(E) establish policies and procedures— 
(i) to reduce patient movement times in various 
countries in the Indo-Pacific region during peacetime 
and wartime operations; 
(ii) to standardize medical procedures, patient care, 
and policies; 
(iii) to securely share patient data with foreign 
countries, when appropriate, such as during a contin-
gency; 
(iv) with respect to medical equipment com-
monality and interchangeability; and 
(v) with respect to the coordination of medical care; 
and 
(F) integrate the Program into operational plans of 
the combatant commands. 
(b) STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 2025, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a strategy 
for the implementation of the Program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The strategy under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) 
A 
governance 
structure 
for 
the 
Program, 
including— 
(i) the officials tasked to oversee the Program; 
(ii) the functions and duties of such officials with 
respect to establishing and maintaining the Program; 
and 
(iii) mechanisms for coordinating with partner 
countries selected to participate in the Program. 
(B) With respect to the selection of partner countries 
initially selected to participate in the Program— 
(i) an identification of each such country; 
(ii) the rationale for selecting each such country; 
and 
(iii) any other information the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(C) A campaign of objectives for the first three fiscal 
years after the date of the establishment of the Program, 
including— 
(i) a description of, and a rational for selecting, 
such objectives; 
(ii) an identification of milestones toward achieving 
such objectives; and 
(iii) metrics for evaluating success in achieving 
such objectives. 
(D) A description of opportunities and potential 
timelines for future Program expansion, as appropriate. 
(E) A list of additional authorities, appropriations, or 
other congressional support necessary to ensure the success 
of the Program. 
(F) Any other information the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(3) FORM.—The strategy under paragraph (1) shall be sub-
mitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
H. R. 5009—187 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than October 1, 2026, and 
annually thereafter until October 1, 2035, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report on the Program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) A narrative summary of activities conducted as 
part of the Program during the preceding fiscal year. 
(B) A campaign of objectives for the three fiscal years 
after the date of submission of the report, including— 
(i) a description of, and a rational for selecting, 
such objectives; 
(ii) an identification of milestones toward achieving 
such objectives; and 
(iii) metrics for evaluating success in achieving 
such objectives. 
(C) Except in the case of the initial report, an assess-
ment of progress toward the objectives specified in subpara-
graph (C) that were included in the report for the preceding 
fiscal year, as evaluated using the metrics described in 
clause (iii) of such subparagraph. 
(D) A description of opportunities and potential 
timelines for future Program expansion, as appropriate. 
(E) Any other information the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(3) FORM.—Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
annex. 
SEC. 736. REPORTS ON SUICIDE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES AND SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND 
ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 741(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1467) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘January 31, 2021’’ and 
inserting ‘‘January 31, 2031’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (J) 
as subparagraphs (I) through (M), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following 
new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(F) The number of suicides identified under subpara-
graph (A) disaggregated by the military occupational spe-
cialty (or other similar classification, rating, or specialty 
code) of the member, excluding such specialities that the 
Secretary determines would not provide statistically valid 
data. 
‘‘(G) A compilation of suicide data by military occupa-
tional specialty covered under subparagraph (F) to deter-
mine which military career fields have a higher per capita 
suicide rate compared to— 
‘‘(i) other military career fields for the same time 
period; 
‘‘(ii) the overall suicide rate for each Armed Force 
for the same time period;
H. R. 5009—188 
‘‘(iii) the overall suicide rate for the Department 
of Defense for the same time period; and 
‘‘(iv) the national suicide rate for the same time 
period. 
‘‘(H) The number of suicides identified under subpara-
graph (A) disaggregated by the age of the member.’’. 
SEC. 737. STUDY OF IMMUNE RESPONSE AND OTHER EFFECTS ON 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES REGARDING COVID– 
19 VACCINES. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a study of immune response to the COVID–19 vaccines, immune 
response to COVID–19 infections, and other effects regarding 
COVID–19. 
(b) ASSESSMENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall consist 
of a review and analysis of existing valid scientific data to assess 
the following: 
(1) Immune responses to the most prevalent COVID–19 
vaccines. 
(2) The efficacy of each such vaccine, including in compari-
son to infection-acquired immunity. 
(3) Adverse events occurring in individuals in response 
to COVID–19 vaccines. 
(c) ADDITIONAL
STUDY
AUTHORIZED.—After conducting the 
study under subsection (a), the Secretary may conduct a research 
study analyzing blood samples from research volunteers to collect 
and analyze additional data pertaining to the matters specified 
in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) if the Secretary 
determines the following: 
(1) The study fails to produce valid conclusions pertinent 
to the medical readiness of the members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) Such research study is likely to produce meaningful 
additional data to improve the medical readiness of the mem-
bers of the Armed Forces. 
(d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after conducting the 
study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a briefing on such study and the conclusions of the 
study. 
SEC. 738. ANNUAL REPORT ON RECRUITMENT DELAYS RELATING TO 
MEDICAL CONDITIONS. 
(a) REPORTS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for three years, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report on the efforts of the Secretary to address 
recruitment delays associated with medical conditions of applicants 
for service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space 
Force. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include, 
for the period covered by the report, the following: 
(1) The average number of days between the date on which 
Military Entrance Processing Stations personnel accept the 
applicant prescreen and the date of the first recorded contact 
for such applicant, disaggregated by military department. 
(2) The average number of days for medical waiver proc-
essing, disaggregated by military department.
H. R. 5009—189 
(3) The number of medical waivers processed by each mili-
tary department, including a breakdown of those that were 
approved and denied and the associated disqualifications 
requiring a medical waiver. 
(4) An assessment of the efforts of the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of each military department to address the 
recruitment delays specified in subsection (a). 
(5) An assessment of the plans of the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of each military department to further 
address those delays. 
SEC. 739. PLAN TO IMPROVE ACCESS BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES TO SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY PHARMACEUTICALS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
with the Military Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Vulnerability 
Working Group established under section 716 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118– 
31; 137 Stat. 304), shall develop a plan to improve access by 
members of the Armed Forces to safe, high-quality pharmaceutical 
products and eliminate or mitigate risks in the pharmacy supply 
chain of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan under subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) Improvement of visibility and analytics of the country 
of origin and sources of supply of finished drugs, active pharma-
ceutical ingredients, key starting material, and other ingredi-
ents of pharmaceutical products. 
(2) Engagement with suppliers of pharmaceutical products 
with unknown country of origin to determine the source of 
active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting material. 
(3) Elimination or reduction of reliance on pharmacy supply 
chain sources that are high risk or very-high risk. 
(4) A plan for transition to available viable therapeutic 
active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting material 
alternatives that are domestically sourced or compliant with 
requirements under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 
U.S.C. 2501 et seq.). 
(5) Validation of sources of supplies and production capacity 
from domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers or manufacturers 
in compliance with requirements under the Trade Agreements 
Act of 1979. 
(6) Assessment of the feasibility and advisability of estab-
lishing a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility owned by the 
Department of Defense, including requirements for construc-
tion, equipment acquisition, other resource needs, and projected 
multi-year budget and time schedule requirements. 
(7) Identification of any other legislative or administrative 
authorities necessary to determine the feasibility and advis-
ability of establishing such a facility. 
(8) Collaboration with Federal agencies determined appro-
priate by the Secretary of Defense on all elements of the plan. 
(c) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a briefing on the plan under sub-
section (a), including an assessment of the feasibility and advis-
ability of implementing the plan.
H. R. 5009—190 
SEC. 740. PILOT PROGRAM ON DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO 
APPROVE RESERVE COMPONENT RECRUITS WITH CER-
TAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall imple-
ment a pilot program to authorize each Secretary concerned (as 
defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code) to delegate 
authority to the Commander of the United States Military Entrance 
Processing Command to approve a service medical waiver for an 
individual to be enlisted or appointed in a reserve component for 
a medical condition the Secretary concerned identifies under sub-
section (c). 
(b) MEDICAL CONSULTATION PROCESS.—If a Secretary concerned 
delegates authority to the Commander under the pilot program, 
the Secretary concerned shall establish a medical consultation 
process for the Commander to seek input from the Secretary con-
cerned if a health care provider of the United States Military 
Entrance Processing Command determines that more specific med-
ical guidance on fitness for duty is needed from the Secretary 
concerned before approving a service medical waiver for a medical 
condition described in subsection (c). 
(c) MEDICAL CONDITIONS IDENTIFIED.—If a Secretary concerned 
delegates authority to the Commander under the pilot program, 
the Secretary concerned shall identify not more than three pre-
existing disqualifying conditions under Department of Defense 
Instruction 6130.03 that regularly or automatically receive medical 
waivers under the policies of the Secretary concerned as of the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) DURATION.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out the 
pilot program for a two-year period. 
(e) BRIEFING; REPORT.— 
(1) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date on 
which the Secretary of Defense commences carrying out the 
pilot program, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a briefing describing the implementation of the pilot pro-
gram, including a list of the medical conditions identified under 
subsection (c). 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date on 
which the Secretary concludes the pilot program, the Secretary 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
on the results of the pilot program, including— 
(A) the number of service medical waivers issued, 
disaggregated by medical condition identified under sub-
section (c); 
(B) a risk assessment of implementation of the pilot 
program; 
(C) a comparison of the average number of days to 
review and adjudicate medical waivers before and during 
the pilot program; and 
(D) a recommendation on whether to make the 
authority under the pilot program permanent.
H. R. 5009—191 
TITLE VIII—ACQUISITION POLICY, AC-
QUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RE-
LATED MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Acquisition Policy and Management 
Sec. 801. Modifications to guidelines and collection method for acquisition of cost 
data. 
Sec. 802. Limitation on certain options for cost contracts. 
Sec. 803. Treatment of unilateral definitization of a contract as a final decision. 
Sec. 804. Middle tier of acquisition for rapid prototyping and rapid fielding. 
Sec. 805. Revision and codification of software acquisition pathways. 
Sec. 806. Streamlining of Milestone A requirements. 
Sec. 807. Streamlining of Milestone B requirements. 
Sec. 808. Notice of contract cancellation or termination relating to remote or iso-
lated installations. 
Sec. 809. Cost growth reports for major acquisition programs that are highly sen-
sitive classified programs. 
Subtitle B—Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and 
Limitations 
Sec. 811. Repeal of and modification to certain defense acquisition laws. 
Sec. 812. Modification to limitation on acquisition of excess supplies. 
Sec. 813. Modifications to Comptroller General assessment of acquisition programs. 
Sec. 814. Modifications to commercial product and commercial service determina-
tions. 
Sec. 815. Application of recent price history to cost or pricing data requirements. 
Sec. 816. Modifications to authority to carry out certain prototype projects using 
other transaction authority. 
Sec. 817. Clarification of other transaction authority for follow on production. 
Sec. 818. Clarification of other transaction authority for facility repair. 
Sec. 819. Open interface standards for contracts of the Department of Defense. 
Sec. 820. Updates to earned value management system requirements. 
Sec. 821. Inclusion of Japan and the Republic of Korea in contested logistics dem-
onstration and prototyping program. 
Sec. 822. Avoidance of use of lowest price technically acceptable source selection 
criteria for procurement of munitions response services. 
Sec. 823. Use of fixed-price type contracts for certain shipbuilding programs. 
Sec. 824. Extension of temporary authority to modify certain contracts and options 
based on the effects of inflation. 
Subtitle C—Provisions Relating to Workforce Development 
Sec. 831. Modification to the term of appointment of the President of the Defense 
Acquisition University. 
Sec. 832. Updated acquisition and sustainment training. 
Sec. 833. Extension of demonstration project relating to certain acquisition per-
sonnel management policies and procedures. 
Sec. 834. Performance incentives related to commercial product and commercial 
service determinations. 
Sec. 835. Modification to extramural acquisition innovation and research activities. 
Sec. 836. Prohibition on the transfer of certain data on employees of the Depart-
ment of Defense to third parties. 
Sec. 837. Modifications to contractor employee protections from reprisal for disclo-
sure of certain information. 
Sec. 838. Detail authority for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to pro-
vide technology transition support. 
Sec. 839. Employment transparency regarding individuals who perform work in, 
for, or are subject to the laws or control of the People’s Republic of 
China. 
Sec. 840. Designation of program executive office for acquisition of open-source in-
telligence tools for Army. 
Subtitle D—Provisions Relating to Supply Chains and Domestic Sourcing 
Sec. 841. Enhancing requirements for information relating to supply chain risk. 
Sec. 842. Domestic production of stainless steel flatware and dinnerware. 
Sec. 843. Clarification of exception to Berry Amendment requirements for procure-
ment of vessels in foreign waters. 
Sec. 844. Technical edits to sourcing requirements for strategic materials and sen-
sitive materials.
H. R. 5009—192 
Sec. 845. Amendment to requirement to buy strategic materials critical to national 
security from American sources. 
Sec. 846. Modification to miscellaneous limitations on the procurement of goods 
other than United States goods. 
Sec. 847. Inclusion of recycled and reused minerals and metals in preference for 
sourcing of strategic and critical materials. 
Sec. 848. Domestic nonavailability determinations list. 
Sec. 849. Supply chain illumination incentives. 
Sec. 850. Report and updated guidance on continued risk management for pharma-
ceutical supply chains of Department of Defense. 
Subtitle E—Prohibitions and Limitations on Procurement 
Sec. 851. Prohibition on contracting with covered entities that contract with lobby-
ists for Chinese military companies. 
Sec. 852. Notification of changes to certain transportation contracts. 
Sec. 853. Prohibition on procurement of covered semiconductor products and serv-
ices from companies providing covered semiconductor products and serv-
ices to Huawei. 
Sec. 854. Prohibition on contracts for online tutoring services. 
Sec. 855. Limitation on availability of funds for covered contractors engaged in an 
anti-Israel boycott. 
Sec. 856. Procurement of cleaning products. 
Sec. 857. Plan for production of covered munitions for procurement by the Depart-
ment of Defense. 
Sec. 858. Procurement of covered hearing protection devices. 
Subtitle F—Industrial Base Matters 
Sec. 861. Codification and modification of pilot program to accelerate the procure-
ment and fielding of innovative technologies. 
Sec. 862. Program for distribution support and services for contractors. 
Sec. 863. Extension of the pilot program for streamlining awards for innovative 
technology projects. 
Sec. 864. Use of capability-based analysis of price of goods or services offered by 
nontraditional defense contractors. 
Sec. 865. Qualification of industrial capabilities. 
Sec. 866. Solid rocket motor industrial base. 
Sec. 867. Promulgate guidance relating to certain Department of Defense contracts. 
Subtitle G—Small Business Matters 
Sec. 871. Pilot program for the participation of military research and educational 
institutions in the STTR program. 
Sec. 872. Department of Defense pilot program for preliminary calculation esti-
mates for certain programs. 
Sec. 873. Boots to Business Program. 
Sec. 874. Establishment of pilot program for access to shared classified commercial 
infrastructure. 
Sec. 875. Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns. 
Sec. 876. Small Business Bill of Rights. 
Subtitle H—Other Matters 
Sec. 881. Clarification of waiver authority for organizational and consultant con-
flicts of interest. 
Sec. 882. Reverse engineering or re-engineering for production of items. 
Sec. 883. Procurement of Department of Defense batteries. 
Sec. 884. Advisory panel on the requirements process of the Department of De-
fense. 
Sec. 885. Proposal for payment of costs for certain Government Accountability Of-
fice bid protests. 
Sec. 886. Briefings, certification, and limitation on availability of funds related to 
fuel services financial management contracts. 
Sec. 887. Implementation of Comptroller General recommendations relating to cer-
tain spare parts for F–35 aircraft. 
Sec. 888. Tracking awards made through other transaction authority.
H. R. 5009—193 
Subtitle A—Acquisition Policy and 
Management 
SEC. 801. MODIFICATIONS TO GUIDELINES AND COLLECTION METHOD 
FOR ACQUISITION OF COST DATA. 
Section 3227(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘$100,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘an amount described in 
section 3041(c)(1) of this title’’. 
SEC. 802. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN OPTIONS FOR COST CONTRACTS. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 3322 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) LIMITATION ON CERTAIN OPTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by paragraph (2), 
a covered contract shall limit the number of low-rate production 
lots for any production quantities procured using fixed-priced 
options under such covered contract to not more than one. 
‘‘(2) WAIVER.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The service acquisition executive 
of the military department concerned or, in the case of 
program that is a joint program, the Secretary of Defense 
may waive the limit required under paragraph (1) with 
respect to the number of low-rate production lots for a 
production quantity under a covered contract if such service 
acquisition executive or the Secretary of Defense, as 
applicable, determines that such waiver is in the best 
interest of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(B) DELEGATION LIMIT.—Neither a service acquisition 
executive nor the Secretary of Defense may delegate the 
authority under subparagraph (A) to waive the limit 
required under paragraph (1) below the level of a service 
acquisition executive. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘covered contract’ means a cost 
reimbursement contract for the development of a major 
system. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘low-rate initial production’ has the same 
meaning as in section 4231 of this title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘major system’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 3041 of this title.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING REGULATIONS.—Not later than 120 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall revise the Department of Defense Supplement to the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation to implement subsection (d) of section 3322 
of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of 
this section. 
SEC. 803. TREATMENT OF UNILATERAL DEFINITIZATION OF A CON-
TRACT AS A FINAL DECISION. 
Section 3372(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subpara-
graphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving such subpara-
graphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right; 
(2) by striking ‘‘OFFICER.—With respect to’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘OFFICER.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to’’; and
H. R. 5009—194 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF UNILATERAL DEFINITIZATION OF A CON-
TRACT
AS
A
FINAL
DECISION.—A unilateral definitization by 
a contracting officer shall be considered a final decision under 
chapter 71 of title 41, and a contractor may appeal this decision 
to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals or the United 
States Court of Federal Claims.’’. 
SEC. 804. MIDDLE TIER OF ACQUISITION FOR RAPID PROTOTYPING 
AND RAPID FIELDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 253 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3602. Middle tier of acquisition for rapid prototyping and 
rapid fielding 
‘‘(a) GUIDANCE REQUIRED.—The Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment, in consultation with the Comp-
troller of the Department of Defense and the Vice Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall establish pathways as described 
under subsection (b) to establish a process for conducting middle 
tier acquisitions for programs or projects that are intended to be 
completed in a period of two to five years. 
‘‘(b) ACQUISITION PATHWAYS.—The Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment shall establish the following two 
acquisition pathways: 
‘‘(1) RAPID PROTOTYPING.—The rapid prototyping pathway 
shall provide for the use of innovative technologies to rapidly 
develop fieldable prototypes to demonstrate new capabilities 
and meet emerging military needs. The objective of an acquisi-
tion program or project under this pathway shall be to field 
a prototype that can be demonstrated in an operational environ-
ment and provide for a residual operational capability within 
five years of the development of an approved requirement. 
‘‘(2) RAPID
FIELDING.—The rapid fielding pathway shall 
provide for the use of proven technologies to field production 
quantities of new or upgraded systems with minimal develop-
ment required. The objective of an acquisition program or 
project under this pathway shall be to begin production within 
six months and complete fielding within five years of the 
development of an approved requirement. 
‘‘(c) EXPEDITED PROCESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Before using the authority under this 
section, the Under Secretary shall develop a streamlined and 
coordinated requirements, budget, and acquisition process that 
results in the development of an approved requirement for 
each acquisition program or project in a period of not more 
than six months from the time that the process is initiated. 
Programs or projects carried out under the authority of this 
section shall not be subject to the Joint Capabilities Integration 
and Development System Manual and Department of Defense 
Directive 5000.01. 
‘‘(2) RAPID PROTOTYPING.—With respect to the rapid proto-
typing pathway, the process described in paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) a merit-based process for the consideration of 
innovative technologies and new capabilities to meet needs
H. R. 5009—195 
communicated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combat-
ant commanders; 
‘‘(B) a process for developing and implementing acquisi-
tion and funding strategies for a program or project to 
be carried out under such pathway; 
‘‘(C) a process for demonstrating and evaluating the 
performance of fieldable prototypes developed pursuant to 
such program or project in an operational environment; 
‘‘(D) a process for transitioning successful prototypes 
to new or existing acquisition programs for production and 
fielding under the rapid fielding pathway or the major 
capability acquisition pathway (as defined under Depart-
ment of Defense Instruction 5000.85 or successor instruc-
tion); and 
‘‘(E) a process for iterating prototyping and fielding 
within the rapid prototyping pathway that may use a 
process described in paragraph (4)(F). 
‘‘(3) RAPID FIELDING.—With respect to the rapid fielding 
pathway, the process described in paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a merit-based process for the consideration of 
existing products and proven technologies to meet needs 
communicated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combat-
ant commanders; 
‘‘(B) a process for demonstrating performance and 
evaluating for current operational purposes the proposed 
products and technologies; 
‘‘(C) a process for developing and implementing acquisi-
tion and funding strategies for a program or project to 
be carried out under such pathway; 
‘‘(D) a process for considering lifecycle costs and 
addressing issues of logistics support and system interoper-
ability; and 
‘‘(E) a process for identifying and exploiting opportuni-
ties to use the rapid fielding pathway to reduce total owner-
ship costs. 
‘‘(4) STREAMLINED PROCEDURES.—The process described in 
paragraph (1) may provide for any of the following streamlined 
procedures: 
‘‘(A) The service acquisition executive of the military 
department concerned may appoint a program manager 
for a program or project for which the authority under 
this section is used from among candidates from among 
civilian employees or members of the armed forces who 
have significant and relevant experience managing large 
and complex programs. 
‘‘(B) A program manager appointed under subpara-
graph (A) may be provided staff positions for a technical 
staff, including experts in business management, cost esti-
mation, contracting, auditing, engineering, certification, 
testing, and logistics, to enable the program manager to 
manage the program without the technical assistance of 
another element of the Department of Defense to the max-
imum extent practicable. 
‘‘(C) A program manager appointed under subpara-
graph (A) may, in coordination with the users of the good 
or service to be acquired under such a program or project 
and the test community, to make trade-offs among life-
H. R. 5009—196 
cycle costs, requirements, and schedules to meet the goals 
of the program or project. 
‘‘(D) Each service acquisition executive, acting in 
coordination with the defense acquisition executive, may 
serve as the decision authority for a program or project 
for which the authority under this section is used, or shall 
delegate such decision authority. 
‘‘(E) A program manager appointed under subpara-
graph (A) may seek an expedited waiver from any regu-
latory requirement, or in the case of a statutory require-
ment, a waiver from Congress, that the program manager 
determines adds cost, schedule, or performance delays with 
little or no value to the management of such program 
or project. 
‘‘(F) If an operational capability is fielded for a program 
or project for which the authority under this section is 
used, the appropriate service acquisition executive may 
permit continuous iterative prototyping and fielding under 
the same program or project for an unlimited number of 
subsequent periods, where each period is intended to be 
five years.’’. 
(b) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED AUTHORITY.—Section 804 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public 
Law 114–92; 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.) is repealed. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 3601 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘section 804 
rapid acquisition pathway’’ and inserting ‘‘rapid 
acquisition pathway’’; 
(ii) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) RAPID ACQUISITION PATHWAY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘rapid acquisition pathway’ means the rapid proto-
typing or the rapid fielding acquisition pathway authorized 
under section 3602 of this title.’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ‘‘the guidance devel-
oped under section 804(a) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114– 
92; 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 
of this title’’; and 
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘section 804 rapid 
acquisition pathway’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘rapid acquisition pathway’’. 
(2) Section 4201(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 
10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 of 
this title’’. 
(3) Section 4324(d)(5)(B) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 
10 U.S.C. 2302 note)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 of this title’’. 
(4) Section 4423(e) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 
10 U.S.C. 2302 note)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 of this title’’.
H. R. 5009—197 
(5) Section 810 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 4067 note) 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 
10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 of 
title 10, United States Code’’. 
(6) Section 1608 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 2271 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 
114–92; 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 
of title 10, United States Code’’. 
(7) Section 807(e)(4) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 11–283; 10 U.S.C. 9081 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 
114–92; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 of 
title 10, United States Code’’. 
(8) Section 884(c)(2)(E) of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 U.S.C. 
4291 note prec.) is amended by striking ‘‘section 804 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public 
Law 114–92; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3602 
of title 10, United States Code’’. 
SEC. 805. REVISION AND CODIFICATION OF SOFTWARE ACQUISITION 
PATHWAYS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 253 of title 10, United States Code, 
as amended by section 804, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3603. Software acquisition pathways 
‘‘(a) SOFTWARE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS.— 
The Secretary of Defense shall establish pathways as described 
under subsection (b) to provide for the efficient and effective acquisi-
tion, development, integration, and timely delivery of software and 
covered hardware. Such a pathway shall include the following: 
‘‘(b) PATHWAYS.—The Secretary of Defense may establish as 
many pathways under this section as the Secretary determines 
appropriate and shall establish the following pathways: 
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.—The applications pathway shall pro-
vide for the use of rapid development and implementation 
of applications and other software or software improvements 
operated by the Department of Defense, which may include 
applications and associated procurement of covered hardware 
(including modifications of a type not customarily available 
in the commercial marketplace to meet Department require-
ments), commercially available cloud computing platforms, and 
other nondevelopmental items. 
‘‘(2) EMBEDDED SYSTEMS.—The embedded systems pathway 
shall provide for the rapid development and insertion of 
upgrades and improvements for software and covered hardware 
embedded in weapon systems and other hardware systems 
unique to the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS
FOR PATHWAYS.—A pathway established 
under this section shall provide for the use of proven technologies
H. R. 5009—198 
and solutions to continuously engineer and deliver capabilities for 
software and covered hardware. 
‘‘(d) CONSIDERATIONS FOR USE OF AUTHORITY.—In using the 
authority under this section, the Secretary shall consider how such 
use will— 
‘‘(1) initiate the engineering of new software capabilities 
quickly and, if applicable, the integration of such capabilities 
into covered hardware; 
‘‘(2) demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of such 
capabilities for operational use not later than one year after 
the date on which funds are first obligated to acquire or develop 
software; and 
‘‘(3) allow for the continuous updating and delivery of new 
capabilities not less frequently than annually to iteratively 
meet a requirement. 
‘‘(e) TREATMENT NOT AS MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PRO-
GRAM.—Software and covered hardware acquired or developed using 
the authority under this section shall not be treated as a major 
defense acquisition program for purposes of section 4201 of title 
10, United States Code, or Department of Defense Directive 5000.01 
without the specific designation of such software and covered hard-
ware by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and 
Sustainment or a service acquisition executive. 
‘‘(f) RISK-BASED APPROACH.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
use a risk-based approach for the consideration of innovative tech-
nologies and new capabilities for software and covered hardware 
to be acquired or developed under this authority to meet needs 
communicated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant com-
manders. 
‘‘(g) EXPEDITED PROCESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A pathway established under this section 
shall provide for— 
‘‘(A) a streamlined and coordinated requirements, 
budget, and acquisition process to support rapid fielding 
of software applications and of software upgrades to 
embedded systems for operational use in a period of not 
more than one year from the time that the process is 
initiated; 
‘‘(B) the collection of data on software and covered 
hardware fielded; and 
‘‘(C) continuous engagement with the users of software 
and covered hardware to support— 
‘‘(i) engineering activities of the Department of 
Defense; and 
‘‘(ii) delivery of software and covered hardware 
for operational use in periods of not more than one 
year. 
‘‘(2) EXPEDITED SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS PROCESS.— 
‘‘(A) INAPPLICABILITY OF JOINT CAPABILITIES INTEGRA-
TION AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM MANUAL.—Software and 
covered hardware acquisition or development conducted 
under the authority of this section shall not be subject 
to the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development 
System Manual, except pursuant to a modified process 
specifically provided for the acquisition or development of 
software by the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 
in consultation with Under Secretary of Defense for
H. R. 5009—199 
Acquisition and Sustainment and each service acquisition 
executive. 
‘‘(B) INAPPLICABILITY OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION SYSTEM 
DIRECTIVE.—Software and covered hardware acquisition or 
development conducted under the authority of this section 
shall not be subject to Department of Defense Directive 
5000.01, except when specifically provided for the acquisi-
tion or development of software by the Under Secretary 
of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in consultation 
with the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 
each service acquisition executive. 
‘‘(h) ELEMENTS.—In implementing a pathway established under 
the authority of this section, the Secretary shall tailor requirements 
relating to— 
‘‘(1) iterative development of requirements for software and 
covered hardware to be acquired or developed under the 
authority of this section through engagement with the user 
community and through user feedback, in order to continuously 
define and update priorities for such requirements; 
‘‘(2) early identification of the warfighter or user needs 
including the rationale for how software and covered hardware 
to be acquired or developed under the authority of this section 
will be tailored to address such needs; 
‘‘(3) initial contract requirements and format, including 
the use of summary-level lists of problems in existing software 
and desired features or capabilities of new or upgraded soft-
ware; 
‘‘(4) continuous refinement and prioritization of contract 
requirements, informed by continuous engagement with users 
throughout the period of development and implementation of 
software and covered hardware to be acquired or developed 
under this section; 
‘‘(5) continuous consideration of issues related to lifecycle 
costs, technical data rights, and systems interoperability; 
‘‘(6) planning for support of capabilities of software to be 
acquired or developed under this section if the software devel-
oper stops supporting the software; 
‘‘(7) rapid contracting procedures, including expedited time-
frames for making awards, selecting contract types, defining 
teaming arrangements, and defining options; 
‘‘(8) program execution processes, including supporting 
development and test infrastructure, automation and tools, dig-
ital engineering, data collection and sharing with Department 
of Defense stakeholders and with Congress, the role of develop-
mental and operational testing activities, key decision-making 
and oversight events, and supporting processes and activities 
(such as independent costing activity, operational demonstra-
tion, and performance metrics); 
‘‘(9) assurances that cybersecurity metrics of the software 
to be acquired or developed, such as metrics relating to the 
density of vulnerabilities within the code of such software, 
the time from vulnerability identification to patch availability, 
the existence of common weaknesses within such code, and 
other cybersecurity metrics based on widely-recognized stand-
ards and industry best practices, are generated and made avail-
able to the Department of Defense and the congressional 
defense committees;
H. R. 5009—200 
‘‘(10) administrative procedures, including procedures 
relating to who may initiate and approve an acquisition under 
this authority, the roles and responsibilities of persons imple-
menting or supporting the use of authority under this section, 
team selection and staffing process, governance and oversight 
roles and responsibilities, and appropriate independent tech-
nology assessments, testing, and cost estimation (including rel-
evant thresholds or designation criteria); 
‘‘(11) mechanisms and waivers designed to ensure flexibility 
in the implementation of a pathway under this section, 
including the use of other transaction authority, broad agency 
announcements, and other procedures; and 
‘‘(12) mechanisms the Secretary will use for appropriate 
reporting to Congress on the use of the authority under this 
section, including notice of initiation of the use of a pathway 
and data regarding individual programs or acquisition activi-
ties, how acquisition activities are reflected in budget justifica-
tion materials or requests to reprogram appropriated funds, 
and compliance with other reporting requirements. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered hardware’ means hardware— 
‘‘(A) that is a commercial product (as defined in section 
103 of title 41) or a nondevelopmental item; and 
‘‘(B) in which software acquired under this section 
is embedded. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘nondevelopmental item’ has the meaning 
given in section 110 of title 41.’’. 
(b) GUIDANCE REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
issue or modify guidance to implement the requirements of this 
section. 
(c) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED AUTHORITY.— 
(1) 
REPEAL.—Section 
800 
of 
the 
National 
Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 
10 U.S.C. 4571 note) is repealed. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 807(e)(1) of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public 
Law 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 9081 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 800 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1478; 10 U.S.C. 
2223a note)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3603 of title 10, United 
States Code’’. 
SEC. 806. STREAMLINING OF MILESTONE A REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) STREAMLINING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 4251 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘DETERMINA-
TION REQUIRED’’ and inserting ‘‘FACTORS TO BE CONSID-
ERED’’; 
(B) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘the Secretary of the military depart-
ment concerned and the Chief of the armed forces 
concerned concur in’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘do not overly constrain future 
trade space’’ after ‘‘with regard to the program’’; 
(C) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
H. R. 5009—201 
‘‘(b) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MILESTONE A APPROVAL.— 
A major defense acquisition program or subprogram may not receive 
Milestone A approval or otherwise be initiated prior to Milestone 
B approval until the milestone decision authority confirms that 
the following factors were considered in the decision to grant Mile-
stone A approval: 
‘‘(1) The program or subprogram fulfills an approved 
requirements document. 
‘‘(2) The program or subprogram has conducted appropriate 
market research. 
‘‘(3) With respect to any identified areas of risk, there 
is a plan to reduce the risk. 
‘‘(4) Planning for sustainment has been addressed. 
‘‘(5) An analysis of alternatives has been performed con-
sistent with study guidance developed by the Director of Cost 
Assessment and Program Evaluation, or in lieu of an analysis 
of alternatives, early experimentation with a combatant com-
mander has been conducted. 
‘‘(6) A life cycle cost estimate for the program or subpro-
gram has been submitted by the component and that the level 
of resources required to complete the technology maturation 
and risk reduction phase of the program is sufficient for success-
ful program execution. 
‘‘(7) The program or subprogram meets any other consider-
ations the milestone decision authority considers relevant.’’; 
(D) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as sub-
sections (d) and (e), respectively; 
(E) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(c) WRITTEN RECORD OF A MILESTONE DECISION.—The mile-
stone decision authority shall issue a written record of a milestone 
decision at the time that Milestone A approval is granted. The 
record shall confirm compliance with subsection (b) and specifically 
state that the milestone decision authority considered the factors 
described in such subsection prior to the decision to grant milestone 
approval. The milestone decision authority shall retain records of 
the basis for the milestone decision.’’; 
(F) in subsection (d), as redesignated by subparagraph 
(D)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
‘‘BRIEF SUMMARY REPORT’’ and inserting ‘‘NOTIFICA-
TION’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘a brief summary report that 
contains the following elements’’ and all that fol-
lows through the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘a written record of the milestone decision.’’; and 
(ii) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—At the request of any of 
the congressional defense committees or, in the case of intel-
ligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intel-
ligence committees, the milestone decision authority shall 
submit to the committee an explanation of the basis for the 
decision to grant Milestone A approval with respect to a major 
defense acquisition program or major subprogram, and make 
available all underlying documentation.’’; and 
(G) in subsection (e), as so redesignated—
H. R. 5009—202 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘initial capabilities 
document’’ and inserting ‘‘requirements document’’; 
(ii) by striking paragraphs (4), (6), and (7); 
(iii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
(4); and 
(iv) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph 
(5). 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of subchapter III of chapter 322 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended, in the item relating to section 4251, 
by striking ‘‘determination required’’ and inserting ‘‘factors to 
be considered’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 4272 of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘risk assessments—’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘(2) before any decision’’ and inserting ‘‘risk assessments before 
any decision’’. 
(2) Section 3221(b)(6)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘4251 or’’. 
(3) Section 3222(a) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘a milestone phase’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
engineering and manufacturing development phase, or 
production and deployment phase,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘authority that—’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘(2) for the for the engineering and manufacturing 
development phase, or production and deployment phase, 
includes a cost estimate’’ and inserting ‘‘authority that 
includes a cost estimate’’. 
SEC. 807. STREAMLINING OF MILESTONE B REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 4252 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘CERTIFICATION 
REQUIRED BEFORE’’ and inserting ‘‘FACTORS TO BE CONSID-
ERED BEFORE’’; 
(2) by striking subsections (d), (e), and (f); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), (c), and (g) as 
subsections (b), (d), (e), and (f), respectively; 
(4) by inserting before subsection (b), as so redesignated, 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(a) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Before granting Milestone B approval 
for a major defense acquisition program or major subprogram, the 
milestone decision authority for the program or subprogram shall 
ensure that— 
‘‘(1) information about the program or subprogram is suffi-
cient to warrant entry of the program or subprogram into 
the engineering and manufacturing development phase; 
‘‘(2) appropriate trade-offs among cost, schedule, technical 
feasibility, and performance objectives have been made to 
ensure that the program or subprogram is affordable when 
considering the per-unit cost and the total life-cycle cost, and 
the Secretary of the military department concerned and the 
Chief of the armed force concerned concur with these trade- 
offs; and 
‘‘(3) there are sound plans for progression of the program 
or subprogram to the production phase.’’;
H. R. 5009—203 
(5) by amending subsection (b), as so redesignated, to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(b) 
FACTORS
TO
BE
CONSIDERED
FOR
MILESTONE
B 
APPROVAL.—A major defense acquisition program or major subpro-
gram may not receive Milestone B approval until the milestone 
decision authority confirms the following factors were considered 
in the decision to grant Milestone B approval: 
‘‘(1) The program or subprogram has received a preliminary 
design review and a formal post-preliminary design review 
or an equivalent assessment was conducted. 
‘‘(2) The technology in the program or subprogram has 
been demonstrated in a relevant environment. 
‘‘(3) The program or subprogram is affordable when consid-
ering the ability of the Department of Defense to accomplish 
the program’s or subprogram’s general mission using alter-
native systems. 
‘‘(4) Reasonable lifecycle cost and schedule estimates have 
been developed to execute, with the concurrence of the Director 
of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, the plan under 
the program or subprogram. 
‘‘(5) The estimated procurement unit cost for the program 
or subprogram and the estimated date for initial operational 
capability for the baseline description for the program or sub-
program (under section 4214 of this title) have been established. 
‘‘(6) Funding is expected to be available to execute the 
product development and production plan for the program or 
subprogram, consistent with the estimates described in para-
graph (4) for the program or subprogram. 
‘‘(7) Appropriate market research has been conducted prior 
to technology development, including market research of 
commercial products, commercial services, and nondevelop-
mental items (as defined in section 110 of title 41). 
‘‘(8) The Department of Defense has completed an analysis 
of alternatives with respect to the program or subprogram, 
or in lieu of an analysis of alternatives, early experimentation 
with a combatant commander has been conducted. 
‘‘(9) The Joint Requirements Oversight Council has accom-
plished its duties with respect to the program or subprogram 
pursuant to section 181(b) of this title, including an analysis 
of the operational requirements for the program or subprogram. 
‘‘(10) Life-cycle sustainment planning has identified and 
evaluated relevant sustainment cost elements, factors, risks, 
and gaps that are likely to drive readiness of the system as 
well as operating and supporting costs. 
‘‘(11) An estimate has been made of the requirements for 
core logistics capabilities and the associated sustaining work-
loads required to support such requirements. 
‘‘(12) The program or subprogram complies with all relevant 
policies, regulations, and directives of the Department of 
Defense. 
‘‘(13) Appropriate actions are planned for the acquisition 
of technical data required to support the program or subpro-
gram. 
‘‘(14) The program or subprogram has an approved life 
cycle sustainment plan required under section 4324(b) of this 
title.
H. R. 5009—204 
‘‘(15) In the case of a naval vessel program or subprogram, 
such program or subprogram is in compliance with the require-
ments of section 8669b of this title.’’; 
(6) by inserting after subsection (b), as so redesignated, 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) WRITTEN RECORD OF MILESTONE DECISION.—The milestone 
decision authority shall issue a written record of decision at the 
time that Milestone B approval is granted. The record shall confirm 
compliance with subsection (b) and specifically state that the mile-
stone decision authority considered the factors described in sub-
section (b) prior to the decision to grant milestone approval. The 
milestone decision authority shall retain records of the basis for 
the milestone decision.’’; 
(7) in subsection (d), as so redesignated— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘CERTIFI-
CATIONS
OR DETERMINATION’’ and inserting ‘‘BASIS
FOR 
MILESTONE APPROVAL’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘certifications or a determination under sub-
section (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘a written record of the mile-
stone decision under subsection (c)’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘certifications or determination 
of the milestone decision authority’’ and inserting 
‘‘decision of the milestone decision authority’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘certifications or determination 
specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection 
(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘decision specified in subsection 
(b)’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘certifications 
or determination’’ and inserting ‘‘decision’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘withdraw the certifications or deter-
mination concerned or’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘certifications, determination, or 
approval are’’ and inserting ‘‘approval is’’; 
(8) by amending subsection (e), as so redesignated, to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(e) SUBMISSIONS TO CONGRESS ON MILESTONE B.— 
‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 15 days after granting 
Milestone B approval for a major defense acquisition program 
or major subprogram, the milestone decision authority for the 
program or subprogram shall provide to the congressional 
defense committees and, in the case of intelligence or intel-
ligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence commit-
tees a written record of the milestone decision. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—(A) At the request of any 
of the congressional defense committees or, in the case of intel-
ligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intel-
ligence committees, the milestone decision authority shall 
submit to the committee an explanation of the basis for the 
decision to grant Milestone B approval with respect to a major 
defense acquisition program or major subprogram, or further 
information or underlying documentation.
H. R. 5009—205 
‘‘(B) The explanation or additional information shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
annex.’’; and 
(9) in subsection (f), as so redesignated— 
(A) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5); 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) The term ‘written record of milestone decision’, with 
respect to a major defense acquisition program or a major 
subprogram, means a document signed by the milestone deci-
sion authority that formalizes approved entry of the program 
or subprogram into the next phase of the acquisition process.’’. 
SEC. 808. NOTICE OF CONTRACT CANCELLATION OR TERMINATION 
RELATING TO REMOTE OR ISOLATED INSTALLATIONS. 
Chapter 365 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 4705. Notice of contract cancellation or termination 
relating to remote or isolated installations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by subsection (c), not 
later than 30 days before the date on which the Secretary of 
Defense or any other official of an element of the Department 
of Defense cancels or terminates a contract, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a notice of such cancellation or termination 
if such cancellation or termination involves a reduction in employ-
ment of not fewer than— 
‘‘(1) 50 remote or isolated installation contractor employees; 
or 
‘‘(2) 100 employees of contractors, including remote or iso-
lated installation contractor employees. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—A notice described in subsection (a) shall 
include an assessment of the effect of such cancellation or termi-
nation on members of the armed forces. 
‘‘(c) WAIVER.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may waive the 
requirements of subsection (a) with respect to the cancellation or 
termination of a contract if the Secretary determines that such 
waiver is in the interest of national security. 
‘‘(2) If the Secretary waives the requirements of subsection 
(a) with respect to the cancellation or termination of a contract, 
the Secretary shall submit the notice required by such subsection 
with respect to such cancellation or termination not later than 
one week after such cancellation or termination. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘remote or isolated installation’ means a 
military installation (as defined in section 2801 of this title) 
that is a remote military installation, as determined by the 
Secretary pursuant to the policy required by section 565 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 
(10 U.S.C. 1781b note). 
‘‘(2) The term ‘remote or isolated installation contractor 
employee’ means an individual who— 
‘‘(A) is an employee of a contractor; 
‘‘(B) as such an employee, provides goods or services 
to a remote or isolated installation; and
H. R. 5009—206 
‘‘(C) resides in the same geographic area as such remote 
or isolated installation.’’. 
SEC. 809. COST GROWTH REPORTS FOR MAJOR ACQUISITION PRO-
GRAMS THAT ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE CLASSIFIED PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) GUIDANCE REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment, in consultation each Secretary 
of a military department, shall establish guidance requiring that 
each service acquisition executive (as defined in section 101 of 
title 10, United States Code) submit to the congressional defense 
committees a cost growth report for a covered program each time 
the estimated unit cost for such covered program has increased 
by a percentage equal to or greater than any of the significant 
cost growth thresholds or critical cost growth thresholds under 
section 4371 of title 10, United States Code. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—A cost growth report required under 
this section shall include, with respect to a covered program, the 
following: 
(1) The name of the covered program. 
(2) The date of the preparation of the report. 
(3) The program phase of the covered program. 
(4) The unit cost estimates for the covered program in 
constant base-year dollars and in current dollars. 
(5) A statement of the reasons for cost increases that 
resulted in the submission of a report under this section. 
(6) A list of major program milestones, including the dates 
for each program milestone according to the original baseline, 
current baseline, and current estimate. 
(7) Annualized funding for the program by appropriation 
account from the date on which the program commenced to 
the current estimated year of completion. 
(8) Any actions taken or proposed to be taken to control 
future cost growth of the covered program. 
(9) Any changes made in the performance or milestones 
of the covered program and the extent to which such changes 
have contributed to the cost increase. 
(c) CRITICAL BREACH.—With respect to a covered program for 
which the cost growth meets the threshold for a critical cost growth 
threshold (as defined in section 4371 of title 10, United States 
Code), the applicable service acquisition executive shall— 
(1) treat such covered program as if the unit cost of such 
a covered program has increased by a percentage equal to 
or greater than any of the critical cost growth thresholds for 
the covered program; and 
(2) follow applicable procedures in sections 4376 and 4377 
of title 10, United States Code. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered program’’ means a Department of 
Defense program— 
(A) that is a highly sensitive classified program (as 
determined by the Secretary of Defense); 
(B) that would be a major defense acquisition program 
under section 4201 of title 10, United States Code, except 
for the exclusion from the applicability of that section of 
such a highly sensitive classified program; and