II 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3890 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 29, 2010 Mr. Lautenberg introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 to extend the period of time during which claims for retroactive stop-loss special pay may be submitted, and for other purposes.

1.

Time period for submission of claims for retroactive stop-loss special pay

(a)

Extension

Subsection (b) of section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32; 123 Stat. 1871) is amended by striking 1 year both places it appears and inserting 2 years. (b)

Plan for improved DOD information dissemination efforts

(1)

Plan required

In the first report submitted under subsection (h) of section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall include a plan describing Department of Defense outreach and informational efforts to promote and increase awareness of the retroactive availability stop-loss special pay under such section. The plan shall include a timeline for full implementation of the plan. (2)

Special considerations

In developing the plan, the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, the following: (A)Previous Department of Defense outreach and informational efforts and how these efforts will be expanded and improved to make eligible members of the Armed Forces and veterans aware of the availability of retroactive stop-loss payments. (B)Department of Defense efforts to coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran service organizations, and other pertinent veteran groups to increase and improve outreach and awareness of the availability of retroactive stop-loss payments. (3)

Explanation

In the report referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall describe how the Secretary addressed each of the special considerations specified in paragraph (2). If the decision is made not to fully implement one or more of the special considerations, the Secretary shall explain why that decision was made. (4)

Availability of funds for costs of administration

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), amounts appropriated by subsection (a) of section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 that remain available for obligation shall be available for administrative costs in connection with the implementation of the outreach and informational efforts covered by the plan submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and the conduct of such other outreach and informational efforts as the Secretary considers appropriate to inform eligible members of the Armed Forces and veterans of the benefits available under such section. (B)

Limitation

The total amount utilized under the authority in subparagraph (A) may not exceed $10,000,000. (5)

Reports on implementation

In the second and subsequent reports submitted under subsection (h) of section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall include a description and assessment of the outreach and informational efforts conducted with regard to such section, including the outreach and informational efforts under the plan required by paragraph (1). Each report shall include a description of the use, if any, of amounts under paragraph (4) for administrative costs described in subparagraph (A) of that paragraph during the six-month period ending on the date of such report.