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gram under section 2015 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘expenses’’ has the meaning given 
such term in such section. 
(4) The term ‘‘State’’ means each of the several 
States and territories and the District of Columbia. 
SEC. 
569B. 
TRAINING 
AND 
INTERNSHIPS 
FOR 
TRANSITIONING MEMBERS THROUGH INSTI-
TUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. 
(a) SKILLBRIDGE.—The Secretary of Defense may 
conduct outreach to institutions of higher education in 
order to enter into more agreements with such institutions 
of higher education that may provide training or intern-
ships to members of the Armed Forces pursuant to the 
Skillbridge program established under section 1143(e) of 
title 10, United States Code. 
(b) INSTITUTION
OF
HIGHER
EDUCATION
DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘institution of higher 
education’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001). 
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SEC. 569C. OPT-OUT SHARING OF INFORMATION ON MEM-
BERS RETIRING OR SEPARATING FROM THE 
ARMED FORCES WITH COMMUNITY-BASED 
ORGANIZATIONS AND RELATED ENTITIES. 
Section 570F of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 
1142 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘out the form to indicate 
an email address’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘out the form to indicate— 
‘‘(1) an email address; and’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) if the individual would like to opt-out of 
the transmittal of the individual’s information to 
and through a State veterans agency as described in 
subsection (a).’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) OPT-OUT OF INFORMATION SHARING.—Infor-
mation on an individual shall be transmitted to and 
through a State veterans agency as described in subsection 
(a) unless the individual indicates pursuant to subsection 
(c)(2) that the individual would like to opt out of such 
transmittal.’’. 
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SEC. 569D. ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE 
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE SOLID 
START PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF DEFENSE.—Section 1142(b) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘(11),’’ be-
fore ‘‘and (16)’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (11) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(11) Information concerning mental health, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) the availability of mental health serv-
ices furnished by the Secretary concerned, the 
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, or a non-profit entity; 
‘‘(B) the treatment of post-traumatic 
stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety 
disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep dis-
orders, suicidal ideation, or other mental health 
conditions associated with service in the armed 
forces; 
‘‘(C) the risk of suicide, including signs, 
symptoms, and risk factors (including adverse 
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childhood experiences, depression, bipolar dis-
order, homelessness, unemployment, and rela-
tionship strain); 
‘‘(D) the availability of treatment options 
and resources to address substance abuse, in-
cluding alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid 
abuse; 
‘‘(E) the potential effects of the loss of 
community and support systems experienced by 
a member separating from the armed forces; 
‘‘(F) isolation from family, friends, or soci-
ety; and 
‘‘(G) the potential stressors associated with 
separation from the armed forces.’’. 
(b) SOLID START PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Section 6320(b)(1) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and 
(H) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the fol-
lowing new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(G) assisting eligible veterans who elect to en-
roll in the system of patient enrollment under sec-
tion 1705(a) of this title; 
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‘‘(H) educating veterans about mental health 
and counseling services available through the Vet-
erans Health Administration;’’. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
information and materials developed pursuant to the 
amendments made by this section. 
(d) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives. 
SEC. 569E. AMENDMENTS TO PATHWAYS FOR COUNSELING 
IN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (M) as sub-
paragraph (R); and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (L) the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(M) Child care requirements of the member 
(including whether a dependent of the member is en-
rolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program). 
‘‘(N) The employment status of other adults in 
the household of the member. 
‘‘(O) The location of the duty station of the 
member (including whether the member was sepa-
rated from family while on duty). 
‘‘(P) The effects of operating tempo and per-
sonnel tempo on the member and the household of 
the member. 
‘‘(Q) Whether the member is an Indian or 
urban Indian, as those terms are defined in section 
4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (Pub-
lic Law 94–437; 25 U.S.C. 1603).’’. 
SEC. 569F. RECORDS OF A SEPARATING MEMBER: PROVI-
SION OF ELECTRONIC COPIES. 
Section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘In the 
case’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
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‘‘(2) The Secretary concerned shall provide to a mem-
ber described in subsection (a) an electronic copy of the 
member’s service medical record not later than 30 days 
before the member separates, retires, or is discharged.’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(f) SEPARATION DOCUMENTS.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall provide to a member described in subsection 
(a) an electronic copy of the member’s separation docu-
ments (including a Certificate of Release or Discharge 
from Active Duty (DD Form 214)) not later than 15 days 
after such member separates, retires, or is discharged.’’. 
SEC. 569G. SKILLBRIDGE FOR THE SUBMARINE INDUS-
TRIAL BASE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 
2025, the Secretary concerned shall— 
(1) conduct a survey to determine which such 
employers in the submarine industrial base are expe-
riencing workforce shortages; and 
(2) use the Skillbridge program to provide 
members training under such program with such 
employers. 
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(b) PREFERENCE.—In selecting an employer under 
subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall give pref-
erence to smaller employers. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on imple-
mentation of this section. 
Subtitle 
H—Family 
Programs, 
Child Care, and Dependent Edu-
cation 
SEC. 571. STAFFING OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDU-
CATION 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’’. 
SEC. 572. IMPROVEMENTS TO CERTAIN SCHOOLS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION AC-
TIVITY. 
(a) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS TEACHERS IN 21ST 
CENTURY SCHOOLS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
EDUCATION ACTIVITY.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, 
acting through the Director of the Department of 
Defense Education Activity, shall require each teach-
er in a 21st century school to undergo training in 
accordance with this subsection. 
(2) CONTENT.—The training required under 
paragraph (1) shall consist of specialized instruction 
to provide teachers with the skills necessary to effec-
tively teach in a 21st century school environment, 
including instruction in— 
(A) understanding and using the physical 
space of a 21st century school classroom; 
(B) building the relationships necessary to 
succeed, including relationships with students 
and other teachers; 
(C) the curriculum and level of academic 
rigor necessary to increase student learning; 
(D) other skills necessary to support the 
academic achievement and social and emotional 
well being of students; and 
(E) such other topics as the Secretary and 
the Director determine appropriate. 
(3) FREQUENCY.—The training required under 
paragraph (1) shall be provided as follows: 
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(A) In the case of a teacher who has been 
assigned to a 21st century school, but has not 
commenced teaching in such school, the train-
ing shall be provided before the teacher com-
mences teaching in such school. 
(B) In the case of a teacher who previously 
taught in a 21st century school, but subse-
quently taught in a school that is not a 21st 
century school for one or more school years, 
such training shall be provided before the teach-
er resumes teaching in a 21st Century School. 
(C) In the case of a teacher who is teach-
ing 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. 
(D) 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. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF BONUS PAYMENTS FOR CER-
TAIN TEACHERS IN HIGH-NEED SCHOOLS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, 
acting through the Director of the Department of 
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Defense Education Activity, is authorized to pay a 
bonus to an individual who— 
(A) meets the eligibility requirements 
under paragraph (2); and 
(B) enters into a service agreement under 
paragraph (3) pursuant to which the individual 
agrees to serve as a teacher in a high-need 
school. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—The Secretary may pay a 
bonus under this subsection to an individual only if 
the individual— 
(A) is newly appointed as an employee of 
the Department of Defense Education Activity; 
or 
(B)(i) is currently employed by the Activ-
ity; and 
(ii) accepts an Activity teaching position in 
a high-need school. 
(3) SERVICE AGREEMENT.—To be eligible to re-
ceive a bonus under this subsection, an individual 
shall enter into a contract or other agreement with 
the Secretary of Defense pursuant to which the indi-
vidual agrees to serve as a teacher in a high-need 
school. Such contract or other agreement shall speci-
fy— 
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(A) the commencement and termination 
dates of the required service period; 
(B) the location of the service; 
(C) the amount of the bonus; and 
(D) the terms of repayment, in accordance 
with paragraph (6), if the employee fails to 
complete the required service period. 
(4) AMOUNT.—The amount of each bonus 
under this subsection shall be determined by the 
Secretary of Defense. 
(5) DISBURSEMENT.—Each bonus under this 
subsection shall be disbursed as a lump sum pay-
ment made at or before the commencement of an in-
dividual’s required service period as set forth in the 
agreement under paragraph (3). 
(6) REPAYMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), an individual who receives a 
bonus under this subsection and who does not 
complete the term of the required service period 
specified in the agreement under paragraph (3) 
shall repay such bonus to the Secretary of De-
fense in a pro rata manner. 
(B) WAIVER.—The Secretary of Defense 
may waive the requirement to repay a bonus 
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under subparagraph (A) on a case-by-case 
basis. 
(7) EXCLUSION
FROM
BASIC
PAY.—A bonus 
under this subsection is not part of the basic pay of 
an employee for any purpose. 
(8) SUNSET.—The authority of the Secretary of 
Defense to pay bonuses under this subsection shall 
terminate five years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF DEPARTMENT OF 
STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS EDUCATION AL-
LOWANCE IN BAHRAIN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, 
acting through the Director of the Department of 
Defense Education Activity, shall carry out a pilot 
program under which a qualified individual may re-
ceive and use the Department of State Standardized 
Regulations education allowance to pay for a de-
pendent child of such individual to attend a non- 
DODEA school in Bahrain for the applicable school 
year. 
(2) MAXIMUM
NUMBER
OF
PARTICIPANTS.— 
Participation in the pilot program under this sub-
section shall be limited to— 
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(A) not more than 15 qualified individuals; 
and 
(B) a total of not more than 30 dependent 
children of such individuals. 
(3) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION.—Any prohibi-
tion on the use of the Department of State Stand-
ardized Regulations education allowance in an area 
served by a school operated by the Department of 
Defense Education Activity shall not apply to a 
qualified individual participating in the pilot pro-
gram under this subsection. 
(4) TERMINATION.—The authority of the Sec-
retary of Defense to carry out the pilot program 
under this subsection shall terminate at the conclu-
sion of the applicable school year. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘21st century school’’ means a 
school facility operated by the Department of De-
fense Education Activity that has been constructed 
or modernized pursuant to the 21st Century Schools 
Program of the Activity. 
(2) The term ‘‘applicable school year’’ means 
the first school year beginning after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
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(3) The term ‘‘high-need school’’ means a 
school operated by the Department of Defense Edu-
cation Activity that— 
(A) is located outside the United States; 
and 
(B) has difficulty in recruiting or retaining 
teachers, as determined by the Secretary of De-
fense. 
(4) The term ‘‘non-DODEA school’’ means a 
school that is not operated by the Department of 
Defense Education Activity. 
(5) The term ‘‘qualified individual’’ means an 
individual who— 
(A)(i) is a member of the Armed Forces 
serving on active duty and stationed in Bahrain 
pursuant to a permanent change of station 
order; or 
(ii) is a civilian employee of the Depart-
ment of Defense who— 
(I) is employed on a permanent full- 
time basis; 
(II) is stationed in Bahrain; and 
(III) is a citizen or a national of the 
United States; 
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(B) is authorized to transport the depend-
ent child of such individual to and from Bah-
rain at the expense of the Federal Government; 
and 
(C) receives a housing allowance for living 
quarters in Bahrain. 
(6) The term ‘‘United States’’ means each of 
the several States and the District of Columbia. 
SEC. 573. PROHIBITION ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND IN-
CLUSION 
POLICY 
BODIES 
FOR 
DODEA 
SCHOOLS. 
The Secretary of Defense may not establish or main-
tain any committee, panel, office, or other organization 
with responsibility for matters relating to diversity, equity, 
and inclusion in schools operated by the Department of 
Defense Education Activity. 
SEC. 574. DODEA OVERSEAS TRANSFER PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 1, 2025, the 
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of 
Department of Defense Education Activity (in this section 
referred to as ‘‘DoDEA’’), shall develop and implement 
a transfer program under which DoDEA educators may 
transfer to DoDEA overseas locations. 
(b) 
REQUIREMENTS.—The 
program 
established 
under this section— 
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(1) shall not require a DoDEA educator to 
teach in the United States prior to transfer; 
(2) shall be subject to collective bargaining 
agreements between DoDEA and their employees; 
and 
(3) shall be carried out subject to current law. 
(c) BRIEFING.—The Secretary of Defense shall brief 
the congressional defense committees on the transfer pro-
gram established under this section not later than Janu-
ary 31, 2025, and, after implementing such program, not 
later than April 1, 2025. 
SEC. 575. CERTAIN ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL 
AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL. 
(a) CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST LOCAL 
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS 
OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.—Of the amount au-
thorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 by section 
301 and available for operation and maintenance for De-
fense-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 agen-
cies under subsection (a) of section 572 of the National 
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Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public 
Law 109–163; 20 U.S.C. 7703b). 
(b) IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DIS-
ABILITIES.—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, 
$20,000,000 shall be available for payments under section 
363 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by Pub-
lic Law 106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A–77; 20 U.S.C. 7703a). 
(c) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 7013(9) of the Ele-
mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7713(9)). 
SEC. 576. VERIFICATION OF REPORTING OF ELIGIBLE FED-
ERALLY CONNECTED CHILDREN FOR PUR-
POSES OF FEDERAL IMPACT AID PROGRAMS. 
(a) CERTIFICATION.—On an annual basis, each com-
mander of a military installation under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of a military department shall submit to 
such Secretary a written certification verifying whether 
the commander has confirmed the information contained 
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in all impact aid source check forms received from local 
educational agencies as of the date of such certification. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later June 30 of each year, each 
Secretary of a military department shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a report, based on the 
information received under subsection (a), that identi-
fies— 
(1) each military installation under the jurisdic-
tion of such Secretary that has confirmed the infor-
mation contained in all impact aid source check 
forms received from local educational agencies as of 
the date of the report; and 
(2) each military installation that has not con-
firmed the information contained in such forms as of 
such date. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘impact aid source check form’’ 
means a form submitted to a military installation by 
a local educational agency to confirm the number 
and identity of children eligible to be counted for 
purposes of the Federal impact aid program under 
section 7003(a) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7703(a)). 
(2) The term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the 
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Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801). 
SEC. 577. PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH INCLUSIVE PLAY-
GROUNDS 
FOR 
MILITARY 
FAMILIES 
EN-
ROLLED IN EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER 
PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 
2026, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel 
and Readiness (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Under Secretary’’) shall establish a military fami-
lies playground pilot program (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Program’’) to design, develop, and 
construct playgrounds that directly support families 
enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program 
to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of access 
to playgrounds on military installations. 
(2) GOVERNING BODY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary of 
Defense, the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments, and any other individual that the Sec-
retary of Defense considers appropriate, shall 
form a governing body to oversee and be re-
sponsible for administration of the Program. 
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(B) INCLUSION OF EFMP COMMUNITY.— 
The governing body required by subparagraph 
(A) shall, at a minimum, include one represent-
ative of families enrolled in the Exceptional 
Family Member Program. 
(3) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Program 
is to create a more accessible and inclusive environ-
ment for military families, especially families en-
rolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, 
by designing, developing, and constructing inclusive 
playgrounds that— 
(A) incorporate the principles of universal 
access and design; 
(B) welcome children and families to de-
velop physically, cognitively, socially, and emo-
tionally; 
(C) are accessible and ensure all children, 
including children with visible and non-visible 
disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Amer-
icans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12102)), have play options to help such children 
grow and learn; and 
(D) balance a play experience that is bene-
ficial to all children, including children with 
visible and non-visible disabilities, at all stages 
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of development and at all levels of sensory en-
gagement. 
(4) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out the 
Program, the Under Secretary shall— 
(A) select not fewer than 6 military instal-
lations located within a State, the District of 
Columbia, or a territory or possession of the 
United States that have the largest commu-
nities of families enrolled in the Exceptional 
Family Member Program; 
(B) design, develop, and construct one in-
clusive playground at each military installation 
selected under subparagraph (A); and 
(C) establish policies, procedures, and 
standards for developing and constructing inclu-
sive playgrounds under the Program. 
(5) UPGRADING EXISTING PLAYGROUNDS.—The 
Under Secretary may carry out the requirement 
under paragraph (4)(B) to construct an inclusive 
playground at each military installation selected 
under paragraph (4)(A) by upgrading an existing 
playground at the installation to meet the require-
ments of the Program. 
(b) STRATEGY.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 28, 
2025, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a strategy for the imple-
mentation of the Program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required by 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A governance structure for the Pro-
gram, including— 
(i) the officials tasked with oversight 
of the Program; 
(ii) the format of the governing body 
of the Program established under sub-
section (a)(2); 
(iii) the functions and duties of the 
governing body with respect to establishing 
and maintaining the Program; and 
(iv) mechanisms for coordinating with 
the military departments. 
(B) With respect to the selection of mili-
tary installations under subsection (a)(4)— 
(i) an identification of each military 
installation; 
(ii) the rationale for selecting each 
military installation; and 
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(iii) any other information the Under 
Secretary considers appropriate. 
(C) A description of objectives for the first 
3 fiscal years of the Program, including— 
(i) a description of, and a rational for 
selecting, those objectives; 
(ii) an identification of milestones to-
ward achieving those objectives; and 
(iii) metrics for evaluating success in 
achieving those objectives. 
(D) A description of opportunities and po-
tential timelines for future expansion of the 
Program, as appropriate. 
(E) A list of additional authorities, appro-
priations, or other support from Congress nec-
essary to ensure the success of the Program. 
(F) Any other information the Under Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
SEC. 578. PARENTAL RIGHT TO NOTICE OF STUDENT NON-
PROFICIENCY IN READING OR LANGUAGE 
ARTS. 
The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each ele-
mentary school operated by the Department of Defense 
Education Activity notifies the parents of any student en-
rolled in such school when the student does not score as 
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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 adminis-
tered to all third grade students by such school. 
SEC. 579. INSTRUCTION IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND 
MACHINE LEARNING IN SCHOOLS OPERATED 
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDU-
CATION ACTIVITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, acting 
through the Director of the Department of Defense Edu-
cation Activity, shall require that each student of a high 
school operated by the Activity receives instruction in arti-
ficial intelligence and machine learning, including instruc-
tion in— 
(1) the foundational concepts of artificial intel-
ligence and machine learning; 
(2) definitions of artificial intelligence and ma-
chine learning; 
(3) the responsible and ethical use of artificial 
intelligence and machine learning applications; and 
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(4) such other topics relating to artificial intel-
ligence and machine learning as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(b) FORM
OF INSTRUCTION.—The instruction re-
quired under subsection (a) may be incorporated into one 
or more existing courses taught at high schools operated 
by the Department of Defense Education Activity. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The requirement to provide the 
instruction described in subsection (a) shall apply begin-
ning with the first school year that begins after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the term ‘‘high 
school’’ has the meaning given that term in section 8101 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801). 
SEC. 579A. GAO STUDY ON CHILD CARE SERVICES PRO-
VIDED OR PAID FOR BY THE DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall carry out a study to assess the child care pro-
grams of the Department of Defense, including military 
child development centers, family home day care, Military 
Child Care in Your Neighborhood, and Child Care in Your 
Home. 
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(b) REPORT.—Not later than six months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a re-
port regarding the results of the study under subsection 
(a). Such report shall include the following information, 
disaggregated by covered Armed Force: 
(1) The period of time military families in each 
priority category are on a waiting list from the time 
of submitting a request on militarychildcare.com 
until the time of final approval. 
(2) The percentage of military families that 
submitted a request for child care services through 
militarychildcare.com and did not receive an offer 
within three months of the date requested. 
(3) The average percentage of annual income a 
military family spends on child care per child. 
(4) The percentage of military families that re-
quire more than one such child care program to 
meet child care needs. 
(5) The current amount allocated to each cov-
ered Armed Force for the Military Child Care in 
Your Neighborhood and Child Care in Your Home 
programs. 
(6) How much of the amount described in para-
graph (5) is spent on— 
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(A) administration; 
(B) child care services for military families. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means 
the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(2) The terms ‘‘military child development cen-
ter’’ and ‘‘family home day care’’ have the meanings 
given such terms in section 1800 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 579B. PROHIBITION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR 
CERTAIN MATERIALS IN SCHOOLS OPERATED 
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDU-
CATION ACTIVITY. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON PORNOGRAPHY AND RADICAL 
GENDER IDEOLOGY.—None of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated by this Act or otherwise mad available for 
fiscal year 2025 or any fiscal year thereafter for the De-
partment of Defense Education Activity may be obligated 
or expended to purchase, maintain, or display in a school 
library or classroom— 
(1) any material that contains, depicts, or oth-
erwise includes pornographic content; or 
(2) any material that espouses, advocates, or 
promotes radical gender ideology. 
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(b) DEADLINE FOR REMOVAL.—The Director of the 
Department of Defense Education Activity shall ensure 
that any material described in subsection (a) that this is 
in a library or classroom of a school operated by the Activ-
ity is removed not later than 30 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘pornographic content’’ means 
any virtual-reality technology, video, image, drawing, 
sound, instruction, reading material, writing mate-
rial, presented via any medium in a classroom, 
school library, on school grounds, or as part of a 
school-sponsored or school-affiliated event that de-
picts, describes, or presents, in whole or in part— 
(A) nudity, sex organs, or sexual acts; 
(B) obscenity; 
(C) indecent material (as defined by the 
Secretary of Defense taking into consideration 
applicable Federal regulations); or 
(D) lewd or sexual acts in a manner in-
tended to cause sexual arousal. 
(2) The term ‘‘radical gender ideology’’ means 
any concept, teaching, instruction, or curriculum 
that— 
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(A) states or suggests biological sex is a 
social construct; 
(B) states or suggests biological sex is 
fluid, interchangeable, or exists beyond the bi-
nary of male and female; 
(C) states or suggests that an individual 
can be trapped in the wrong body or have a dif-
ferent identity than that of their biological sex; 
(D) encourages, promotes, or advocates the 
use of personal pronouns unaligned with an in-
dividual’s biological sex; or 
(E) encourages, promotes, or advocates 
hormone replacement, puberty blockers, or gen-
der reassignment surgery as a safe, necessary, 
or optional treatment for an individual. 
SEC. 579C. PROHIBITIONS ON PROVISION OF GENDER 
TRANSITION SERVICES THROUGH AN EXCEP-
TIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No gender transition procedures, 
including surgery or medication, may be provided to a 
minor dependent child through an EFMP. 
(b) REFERRALS.—No referral for procedures de-
scribed in subsection (a) may be provided to a minor de-
pendent child through an EFMP. 
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(c) REASSIGNMENT.—No change of duty station may 
be approved through an EFMP for the purpose of pro-
viding a minor dependent child with access to procedures 
described in subsection (a). 
(d) EFMP DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘EFMP’’ means the program referred to as the Excep-
tional 
Family 
Member 
Program 
under 
section 
1781c(d)(4)(I) of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 579D. REPORT ON SEPARATING MEMBERS WHO HAVE 
HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE AND MEDICAL 
RESERVE CORPS. 
By not later than 180 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the proc-
ess by which members of the Armed Forces with health 
care experience transition to civilian life and the number 
such members who join the Medical Reserve Corps. 
SEC. 579E. PROHIBITION OF TIKTOK. 
The Director of the Department of Defense Edu-
cation Activity shall publish guidance prohibiting the use 
of TikTok for instructional purposes at schools operated 
by the Department of Defense Education Activity. 
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SEC. 579F. REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXCEP-
TIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report that includes— 
(1) the results of a study of the effectiveness of 
the Exceptional Family Member program authorized 
under section 1781c(e) of title 10, United States 
Code, with respect to the manner by which it cur-
rently supports individuals with intellectual and de-
velopmental disabilities; and 
(2) recommendations to improve the program. 
SEC. 579G. STUDY ON HIGH-IMPACT TUTORING IN DODEA 
SCHOOLS. 
Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of 
Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
containing the results of a study on— 
(1) the current usage of tutoring programs in 
Department of Defense Education Activity elemen-
tary and secondary schools; 
(2) the extent to which current tutoring pro-
grams in Department of Defense Education Activity 
elementary and secondary schools incorporate ele-
ments of high-impact tutoring, including tutoring 
that— 
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(A) is in math, reading, or both subjects 
for at least 30 minutes during the school day 
and for at least 3 days per week during the 
school year; 
(B) is taught by a licensed Department of 
Defense Education Activity elementary or sec-
ondary school teacher or paraprofessional with 
a student-to-tutor ratio of no more than 3-to- 
1; 
(C) is on a set schedule and with the same 
tutor each week; 
(D) in the case of tutoring that takes place 
during a regular class, occurs in a classroom or 
area that is separate from such regular class; 
and 
(E) with respect to a student, is related to 
and aligned with the classwork in the student’s 
regular classes; 
(3) how to increase the participation of stu-
dents enrolled in Department of Defense Education 
Activity elementary and secondary schools in tutor-
ing programs, particularly those tutoring programs 
with the elements described in paragraph (2), while 
not reducing funds available for existing Department 
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of Defense Education Activity programs and teacher 
and staff compensation; and 
(4) how to develop a licensed tutoring workforce 
for Department of Defense Education Activity ele-
mentary and secondary schools. 
Subtitle I—Decorations and 
Awards 
SEC. 581. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO E. ROYCE WILLIAMS FOR ACTS OF 
VALOR DURING THE KOREAN WAR. 
(a) WAIVER
OF
TIME
LIMITATIONS.—Notwith-
standing the time limitations specified in section 8298 of 
title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation 
with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons 
who served in the Armed Forces, the President may award 
the Medal of Honor under section 8291 of such title to 
E. Royce Williams for the acts of valor described in sub-
section (b). 
(b) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor 
described in this subsection are the actions of E. Royce 
Williams,— 
(1) as a lieutenant in the Navy, on November 
18, 1952, for which he was previously awarded the 
Navy Cross and the Taegeuk Order of Military 
Merit of South Korea; and 
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(2) as an Ace fighter pilot who shot down mul-
tiple MiG aircraft. 
SEC. 582. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO THOMAS H. GRIFFIN FOR ACTS OF 
VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE ARMY DURING 
THE VIETNAM WAR. 
(a) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—Congress recog-
nizes the following acts of valor by Thomas Helmut Grif-
fin: 
(1) Thomas Helmut Griffin distinguished him-
self by valorous actions against overwhelming odds 
while serving as a captain in the Army, Senior Advi-
sor, 4/5 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, 
Army of the Republic of Vietnam. 
(2) From March 1, 1969 through March 3, 
1969, during the Vietnam War, such battalion was 
ordered to forestall an imminent attack on Quang 
Ngai City threatened by units of the North Viet-
namese Army (hereinafter, ‘‘NVA’’). The 4/5 Bat-
talion engaged unabatedly with an entrenched NVA 
regiment over the course of three days. Captain 
Griffin (hereinafter, ‘‘CPT Griffin’’) risked his life 
and disregarded his personal safety, all above and 
beyond his duty, on some 20 occasions, to lead his 
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battalion in the fight as well as direct gunships, air, 
and artillery strikes on the enemy positions. 
(3) During the initial phase of battle, CPT 
Griffin made numerous trips across 50 meters of 
open ground, while under heavy automatic weapon, 
rocket, and small arms fire, to advise on the conduct 
of the battle and better direct strikes against enemy 
forces. Fearing slaughter of his soldiers, CPT Grif-
fin, with one of his counterparts from the Army of 
the Republic of Vietnam (hereinafter, ‘‘ARVN’’), 
charged directly into heavy enemy fire and assaulted 
a machine gun bunker. CPT Griffin continued these 
runs, despite the enemy shooting the heels off CPT 
Griffin’s boots. 
(4) After taking out the NVA bunker, CPT 
Griffin brandished the captured machine gun and 
rocket launcher to exhort his battalion out of the kill 
zone and continue the assault into the enemy en-
trenchments while remaining exposed to heavy fire. 
CPT Griffin’s raw and intense close combat leader-
ship galvanized his battalion to move out of the kill 
zone and continue their mission. 
(5) CPT Griffin’s ARVN counterpart was 
struck by close fire, and CPT Griffin unhesitatingly 
carried the wounded commander to safety while 
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shielding him with his own body against rocket and 
artillery fire. CPT Griffin proceeded to carry four 
more wounded soldiers to safety while protecting 
them with his own body, returning each time against 
devastating enemy fire. While leading the final at-
tack, CPT Griffin was hit three times in the chest 
by enemy small arms fire, yet continued to lead at 
the forefront of his battalion until the mission was 
completed. Under CPT Griffin’s command and lead-
ership, the 4/5 Battalion continued to reduce the 
enemy regiment’s fighting capacity. 
(6) CPT Griffin’s personal leadership in intense 
close combat resulted in a major win for his bat-
talion against overwhelming odds, killing 93 enemy 
soldiers and saving the lives of over 300 allied sol-
diers by galvanizing and leading them out of the kill 
zone. 
(7) CPT Griffin’s selfless devotion to duty, his 
extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry and in-
trepidity, and numerous risks of his life above and 
beyond the call of duty, are all in keeping with the 
highest traditions of the Army, and reflect great 
credit on himself, the Armed Forces, and the United 
States. 
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(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following with re-
gards to the original decision to award a Silver Star to 
Thomas Helmut Griffin: 
(1) When awarding him the Silver Star, CPT 
Griffin’s chain of command was unaware of the full 
extent of his valorous actions and the numerous 
risks he took for his soldiers, all above and beyond 
the call of duty. 
(2) Congress notes that although CPT Griffin 
was struck three times by enemy fire, and at one 
point was completely surrounded by the enemy, he 
continued to fight and lead his battalion against dev-
astating and overwhelming enemy fire. 
(3) Congress notes that CPT Griffin’s Com-
manding Officer, Colonel Dean E. Hutter (ret.), sent 
a letter to the Department of the Army dated No-
vember 6, 2013, in which he accounts for the revela-
tion of additional, substantive and material evidence 
not known at the time of the decision to award the 
Silver Star, and in which he describes as compelling 
‘‘the justice of upgrading CPT Griffin’s sustained 
and varied acts of combat valor to their rightful level 
of recognition, the Medal of Honor’’. 
(4) Congress further notes that Colonel Hutter 
issued a letter to former United States Representa-
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tive Sam Farr on September 15, 2011, noting his 
support for an upgrade from a Silver Star to a 
Medal of Honor, having recognized CPT Griffin’s 
acts of valor as, ‘‘numerous, selfless demonstrations 
of personal risk in pressing a close-combat attack 
against a well-entrenched element of a battalion-size 
enemy formation’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF AWARD
OF MEDAL
OF 
HONOR TO THOMAS HELMUT GRIFFIN FOR ACTS OF 
VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE ARMY DURING THE VIET-
NAM WAR.— 
(1) 
AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding 
the 
time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, 
United States Code, or any other time limitation 
with respect to the awarding of certain medals to 
persons who served in the Armed Forces, the Presi-
dent is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, 
under section 7271 of such title, to Thomas Helmut 
Griffin for the acts of valor described in subsection 
(b). 
(2) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of 
valor described in this subsection are the actions of 
Thomas H. Griffin during the period of March 1 
through March 3, 1969, while serving as a captain 
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in the Army during the Vietnam War, for which he 
was previously awarded the Silver Star. 
SEC. 583. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO JAMES CAPERS, JR. FOR ACTS OF 
VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE MARINE CORPS 
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding the time lim-
itations specified in sections 8298(a) and 8300 of title 10, 
United States Code, or any other time limitation with re-
spect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who 
served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized 
to award the Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such 
title, to James Capers, Jr. for the acts of valor described 
in subsection (b). 
(b) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor 
described in this subsection are the actions of James Ca-
pers, Jr., as a member of the Marine Corps, during the 
period of March 31 through April 3, 1967, during the 
Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the 
Silver Star. 
SEC. 584. AUTHORIZATION OF AWARD OF MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO GREGORY MCMANUS FOR ACTS 
OF VALOR. 
(a) WAIVER
OF
TIME
LIMITATIONS.—Notwith-
standing the time limitations specified in section 7274 of 
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title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation 
with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons 
who served in the Armed Forces, the President is author-
ized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 
of such title, to Gregory McManus for the acts of valor 
described in subsection (b). 
(b) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor 
described in this subsection are the following: 
(1) Chief Warrant Officer Gregory McManus 
distinguished himself for his brave acts of valor 
while serving in the United States Army by risking 
his life to save the lives of his fellow servicemembers. 
(2) Chief Warrant Officer McManus deserves 
recognition for his acts of valor while serving as the 
commander of a single helicopter gunship on an im-
portant mission north of Chai Duc. 
(3) Discovering an envoy of hundreds of enemy 
troops along the Cambodian border, Chief Warrant 
Officer McManus attacked the enemy without hesi-
tation. 
(4) Chief Warrant Officer McManus dis-
regarded the tracers that rose to meet him, firing 
rockets the entire length of the convoy, confusing 
the enemy, and scattering the troop column. 
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(5) Chief Warrant Officer McManus then at-
tacked an armored vehicle with a mounted machine 
gun, destroying it and a large artillery piece which 
it was towing. 
(6) Over and over, Chief Warrant Officer 
McManus flew through heavy automatic weapons 
and machine gun fire to attack the enemy, only de-
ciding to return when his ordinance was expended, 
and his ship had taken so much damage that further 
flight was inadvisable. 
(7) With this noble deed, Chief Warrant Officer 
McManus was able to destroy the enemy unit and 
scattered the rest in disorder with a single ship. 
(8) Disregarding the size and scope of the 
enemy troop’s convoy, Chief Warrant Officer 
McManus put his own life in danger, all in the serv-
ice of his country and members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(9) Because of the heroic actions of Chief War-
rant Officer McManus, countless American soldier’s 
lives were saved. 
(10) These actions of heroism by Chief Warrant 
Officer McManus deserves recognition and dem-
onstrates this hero of the United States more than 
deserve the medal of honor. 
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SEC. 585. AUTHORIZATION FOR LAST SERVICEMEMBER 
STANDING MEDAL. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Chapter 57 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 1135 and 1136 as 
sections 1136 and section 1137, respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after section 1134 the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 1135. Last Servicemember Standing medal 
‘‘(a) MEDAL
AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary con-
cerned may issue a service medal, to be known as the ‘Last 
Servicemember Standing medal’, to persons eligible under 
subsection (c). 
‘‘(b) DESIGN.—The Last Servicemember Standing 
medal shall be of an appropriate design approved by the 
Secretary of Defense, with ribbons, lapel pins, and other 
appurtenances. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE PERSONS.—Subject to subsection (d), 
a person eligible to be issued the Last Servicemember 
Standing medal is any member who— 
‘‘(1) served on active duty; 
‘‘(2) was deployed during war or overseas con-
tingency operation; 
‘‘(3) as a result of a combat instance during 
such war or overseas contingency, was the last sur-
viving member of a unit; 
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‘‘(4) demonstrated extraordinary heroism in de-
fense of the United States during such combat in-
stance; and 
‘‘(5) whose character is recommended for rec-
ognition by their commanding officer and at least 
two peers. 
‘‘(d) ONE MEDAL AUTHORIZED.—Not more than one 
Last Servicemember Standing medal may be issued to any 
person. 
‘‘(e) ISSUANCE TO NEXT-OF-KIN.—If a person de-
scribed in subsection (c) is deceased, the Secretary con-
cerned may provide for issuance of the Last Servicemem-
ber Standing medal to the next-of-kin of the person. 
‘‘(f) REGULATIONS.—The issuance of a Last Service-
member Standing medal shall be subject to such regula-
tions as the Secretaries concerned shall prescribe for pur-
poses of this section. The Secretary of Defense shall en-
sure that any regulations prescribed under this subsection 
are uniform to the extent practicable.’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Secretary of Defense should take appro-
priate actions to expedite— 
(1) the design of the Last Servicemember 
Standing medal provided for by section 1136 of title 
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explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay in the 
amount specified in subsection (b)(1) if the member— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic pay; 
‘‘(B) holds (or is in training leading to) an ex-
plosive ordnance disposal duty designator; and 
‘‘(C) is in and remains in explosive ordnance 
disposal duty on a career basis. 
‘‘(2) Subject to regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary of Defense, a member of a covered armed force who 
is entitled to basic pay but is not entitled to continuous 
monthly explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay 
under paragraph (1) is entitled to explosive ordnance dis-
posal duty incentive pay in the amount prescribed pursu-
ant to subsection (b)(2) for any period during which such 
member performs explosive ordnance disposal duty under 
orders. 
‘‘(b) RATES.—(1) Continuous monthly explosive ord-
nance disposal duty incentive pay under subsection (a)(1) 
shall be in the following amounts: 
‘‘Years of explosive ordnance disposal 
duty (including training): 
Monthly Rate 
2 or fewer 
$125 
Over 2 
$156 
Over 3 
$188 
Over 4 
$206 
Over 6 
$650 
Over 8 
$800 
Over 10 
$1,000 
Over 17 
$840 
Over 22 
$585 
Over 24 
$385 
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referred to in subsection (d)(3) shall pay no charge for 
any care described in subsection (c).’’; and 
(6) in subsection (i), as redesignated by para-
graph (4), by striking ‘‘subsection (k)(2)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘subsection (l)(2)’’. 
SEC. 703. 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’’. 
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(B) An assessment of medication compli-
ance rates for affected beneficiaries for the 
three years prior to October 24, 2022 compared 
to the period-to-date following October 24, 
2022. 
(C) Data on affected beneficiaries’ use of 
pharmacies that offer long-term care services, 
compound pharmacies, home infusion therapy. 
(D) The number of affected beneficiaries 
and number of total TRICARE beneficiaries by 
age group: Under age 18, 18-24, 25-44, 45-64, 
65-79, 80 and older. 
(4) An analysis on the effect on long-term care 
residents under TPharm4 and TPharm5, including: 
(A) The number of beneficiaries who filled 
at least one prescription at a pharmacy that 
provides long-term care services. 
(B) The number of beneficiaries who filled 
prescriptions at a single long-term care phar-
macy only with no prescriptions filled via mail 
order, MTF pharmacy, or another retail phar-
macy. 
(5) An analysis of non-network pharmacy use 
by TRICARE beneficiaries under TPharm4 and 
TPharm5, disaggregated by rural beneficiaries, non- 
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