336 
and other transitional services provided under sec-
tions 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 568. SKILLBRIDGE: APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than September 30, 2025, the 
Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
when not operating as a service in the Department of the 
Navy, shall conduct a study to identify the private entities 
participating in Skillbridge that offer positions in reg-
istered apprenticeship programs to covered members. 
(b) RECRUITMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
consult with officials and employees of the Department of 
Labor who have experience with registered apprenticeship 
programs to facilitate the Secretary entering into agree-
ments with entities that offer positions described in sub-
section (a) in areas where the Secretary determines few 
such positions are available to covered members. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered member’’ means a mem-
ber of the Armed Forces eligible for Skillbridge. 
(2) The term ‘‘registered apprenticeship pro-
gram’’ means an apprenticeship program registered 
under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known 
as the ‘‘National Apprenticeship Act’’; 50 Stat. 664, 
chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
337 
(3) The term ‘‘Skillbridge’’ means an employ-
ment skills training program under section 1143(e) 
of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 569. TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION REGARDING 
MEMBER’S OPIOID USE DISORDER TO DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 1142(d) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TRANSMITTAL’’ 
and inserting ‘‘TRANSMISSION’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘In the case’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) In the case of a member whom the Secretary 
concerned knows has a history of opioid use disorder, such 
Secretary concerned shall notify the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs of such history within 60 days of the separation. 
retirement, or discharge of such member.’’. 
SEC. 569A. REPORT ON THE NUMBER OF VETERANS WHO 
HAVE THEIR MILITARY ACQUIRED CREDEN-
TIALS RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE-LEVEL 
FOR THE CIVILIAN WORKFORCE. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Defense, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
338 
the Secretary of Labor, shall submit to Congress a report 
that builds on the data reported in the ‘‘DoD 
Credentialing Utilization’’ report from 2018 (3-BB02A16) 
to better assess the effectiveness of the Credentialing Pro-
grams for post-military civilian employment. 
(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The report under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the number of veterans 
who successfully transfer their eligible professional 
credentials to civilian jobs. 
(2) An assessment of which certifications were 
most commonly used for post-military civilian em-
ployment, such as airplane mechanics. 
(3) An assessment on any other barriers vet-
erans face to transferring military mechanical skills 
to State certifications. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘applicable licensing authority’’ 
means the licensing authority by a State for a given 
vocation in which the veteran works or would like to 
work. 
(2) The term ‘‘eligible professional credential’’ 
means a professional credential, including a profes-
sional credential in the field of airplane mechanics, 
obtained using expenses paid pursuant to the pro-
339 
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).
340 
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.’’.
341 
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
342 
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;
343 
‘‘(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:
344 
‘‘(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:
345 
‘‘(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.
346 
(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.—
347 
(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:
348 
(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
349 
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—
350 
(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
351 
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—
352 
(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.
353 
(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;
354 
(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—
355 
(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
356 
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
357 
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
358 
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.
359 
(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
360 
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.—
361 
(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
362 
(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
363 
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
364 
(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.
371 
(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
378 
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
646 
tified in the most recent National Defense Strategy 
submitted under section 113(g) of title 10, United 
States Code; and 
(2) any deviations from the aim identified in 
paragraph (1) should receive the highest levels of 
scrutiny by the Secretary of Defense. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
that includes— 
(1) the timeline required to implement a re-
quirement, including amending regulations, for the 
Department of Defense that all disposable food serv-
ice products acquired for the Department of Defense 
are produced in the United States, compostable, and 
minimize the amount of products acquired from 
sources in strategic competitors identified in the 
most recent National Defense Strategy submitted 
under section 113(g) of title 10, United States Code; 
(2) a list of existing laws and regulations estab-
lishing domestic acquisition preferences or require-
ments that may be affected by the requirement de-
scribed in paragraph (1), and recommendations to 
resolve any conflicts between such laws and regula-
647 
tions and the requirement described in paragraph 
(1); 
(3) a process for waiving the requirement de-
scribed in paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis, in-
cluding a framework for delegating such waiver au-
thority below the Office of the Secretary of Defense; 
(4) recommendations for the dollar values of 
contracts or other agreements at which the require-
ment described in paragraph (1) and the waiver de-
scribed in paragraph (3), respectively, should apply; 
(5) an assessment of the infrastructure avail-
able in the Department of Defense to implement the 
requirement described in paragraph (1), including 
an assessment of the cost and a timeline for the de-
velopment of the infrastructure that would be re-
quired to implement such requirement; and 
(6) an assessment of the availability of food 
services products that are compostable. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘disposable food service product’’ 
means a food service product designed to be dis-
posed after a single use; 
(2) the term ‘‘food service product’’ means a 
product for serving or transporting prepared foods 
or beverages;
677 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) the official with principal responsi-
bility for contested logistics posture manage-
ment for the Department in accordance with 
section 2229b(a) of this title;’’. 
(b) DESIGNATION OF SENIOR MILITARY DEPART-
MENT OFFICIALS.—Chapter 131 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 2229b. Senior officials responsible for contested lo-
gistics posture management 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment shall be the official in 
the Department of Defense with principal responsibility 
for contested logistics posture management for the De-
partment. In carrying out such responsibilities, the Under 
Secretary shall coordinate with the senior military depart-
ment officials designated under subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) DESIGNATION OF SENIOR MILITARY DEPART-
MENT OFFICIALS.—Each secretary of a military depart-
ment shall designate, from among officials serving in the 
department who have been confirmed by the Senate, an 
official to have principal responsibility for contested logis-
tics posture management for that department.