Debra Nixon Special Needs Trust Inclusion Act

Bill: 117-hr-2109
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Introduced: 2021-03-19
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance

Family relationships

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2021-03-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Debra Nixon Special Needs Trust Inclusion Act</strong></p> <p>This bill addresses the administration of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) in relation to Special Needs Trusts. Specifically, the bill authorizes retirees who previously elected not to participate in the SBP due to not having a spouse or dependent child to later enroll if they establish a Special Needs Trust. Such retirees must elect to enroll within one year after the date on which the trust is established.</p> <p>The bill also authorizes those who have established a Special Needs Trust for certain dependent children to elect to have such trust or child as the beneficiary under the SBP.</p> <p>During the open enrollment period, an individual is authorized to elect to change the beneficiary of an annuity under the SBP to provide coverage for a trust established for a special needs child, a spouse and a trust established for a special needs child, or a former spouse and a trust established for a special needs child.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2109 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2021 Ms. Sherrill (for herself and Mr. Bilirakis ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a person participating in the Survivor Benefit Plan to change the beneficiary to a supplemental or special needs trust for the benefit of a dependent child, to authorize a person who establishes such a trust to begin participating in the Survivor Benefit Plan, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Debra Nixon Special Needs Trust Inclusion Act . 2. Authorization to participate in or change beneficiary under the Survivor Benefit Plan to provide coverage for certain children with special needs (a) Participation by person who establishes trust for special needs child after retirement Section 1448(a)(5) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking or and inserting a comma; and (B) by inserting , or establishes a trust described in subsection (b)(6) before may ; and (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) by striking or and inserting a comma; and (B) by inserting , or establishes a trust described in subsection (b)(6) before the period. (b) Change in election of beneficiary to trust for special needs child Section 1450(f)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the heading, by striking or child and inserting , child, or trust ; (2) by striking or and inserting a comma; and (3) by inserting , or a trust described in section 1448(b)(6) of this title before the period. 3. Open enrollment period for changes in beneficiaries under the Survivor Benefit Plan to provide coverage for certain children with special needs (a) Election to change beneficiary During the open enrollment period, an eligible individual may elect to change the beneficiary, previously elected by that eligible individual, of an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan, to provide coverage for— (1) a trust established for a special needs child; (2) a spouse and a trust established for a special needs child; or (3) a former spouse and a trust established for a special needs child. (b) Manner of making election An election under this section shall be made in writing, signed by the eligible individual making the election, and received by the Secretary concerned before the end of the open enrollment period. (c) Effective date of election An election under this section shall be effective on the first day of the first calendar month following the month in which the election is made. (d) Definitions In this section; (1) The term eligible individual means an individual who— (A) is a person described in subsection (b)(6) of section 1448 of title 10, United States Code; and (B) before the open enrollment period, is a participant in the Survivor Benefit Plan providing coverage for a spouse or former spouse. (2) The term open enrollment period means the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3911 ). (4) The term Survivor Benefit Plan means the program established under subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code. (5) The term trust established for a special needs child means a trust described in subsection (b)(6) of section 1448 of title 10, United States Code.