II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3310 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 23, 2008 Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Ms. Klobuchar) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To provide benefits under the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program for certain periods before the implementation of the program.

1.

Benefits under Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program for certain periods before implementation of program

(a)

In general

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary concerned shall provide any member or former member of the Armed Forces with the benefits specified in subsection (b) if the member or former member would, on any day during the period beginning on January 19, 2007, and ending on the date of the implementation of the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) program by the Secretary concerned, have qualified for a day of administrative absence under the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program had the program been in effect during such period. (b)

Benefits

The benefits specified in this subsection are the following: (1)In the case of an individual who is a former member of the Armed Forces at the time of the provision of benefits under this section, payment of an amount not to exceed $200 for each day the individual would have qualified for a day of administrative absence as described in subsection (a) during the period specified in that subsection. (2)In the case of an individual who is a member of the Armed Forces at the time of the provision of benefits under this section, either one day of administrative absence or payment of an amount not to exceed $200, as selected by the Secretary concerned, for each day the individual would have qualified for a day of administrative absence as described in subsection (a) during the period specified in that subsection. (c)

Exclusion of certain former members

A former member of the Armed Forces is not eligible under this section for the benefits specified in subsection (b)(1) if the former member was discharged or released from the Armed Forces under other than honorable conditions. (d)

Maximum number of days of benefits providable

The number of days of benefits providable to a member or former member of the Armed Forces under this section may not exceed 40 days of benefits. (e)

Form of payment

The paid benefits providable under subsection (b) may be paid in a lump sum or installments, at the election of the Secretary concerned. (f)

Construction with other pay and leave

The benefits provided a member or former member of the Armed Forces under this section are in addition to any other pay, absence, or leave provided by law. (g)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program means the program of a military department to provide days of administrative absence not chargeable against available leave to certain deployed or mobilized members of the Armed Forces in order to assist such members in reintegrating into civilian life after deployment or mobilization. (2)The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given that term in section 101(5) of title 37, United States Code. (h)

Termination

(1)

In general

The authority to provide benefits under this section shall expire on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2)

Construction

Expiration under this subsection of the authority to provide benefits under this section shall not affect the utilization of any day of administrative absence provided a member of the Armed Forces under subsection (b)(2), or the payment of any payment authorized a member or former member of the Armed Forces under subsection (b), before the expiration of the authority in this section.