113 HR 748 IH: Universal National Service Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Universal National Service Act
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I—National Service
Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. National service obligation.
Sec. 103. Induction to perform national service.
Sec. 104. Two-year period of national service.
Sec. 105. Implementation by the President.
Sec. 106. Examination and classification of persons.
Sec. 107. Deferments and postponements.
Sec. 108. Induction exemptions.
Sec. 109. Conscientious objection.
Sec. 110. Discharge following national service.
TITLE II—Amendments to military selective service act
Sec. 201. Registration of females.
Sec. 202. Registration and induction authority.
<enum>I</enum><header>National Service</header>
<section id="H0B006BDFCFAA4278B6990859DFEA3C8D"><enum>101.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph id="H76B2924A03824168B0AE7A1BBEDE7188"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The terms <quote>community-based agency</quote> and <quote>community-based entity</quote> have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/12511">42 U.S.C. 12511</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3403C3FE702C4050BAE70187E3D9D3DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>contingency operation</term> has the meaning given that term in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/10/101">section 101(a)(13)</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H78952C6E83A248C8BAAF6ACB28D9CB97"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>military service</term> means service performed as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4499EBA0A5A24083A864155BB0DF798B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The term <term>national service</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H837CCEB2F91946CF89EC5A356DE8CC1B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>military service; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H15854F7C2F064880B4248688549E5AF6"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">civilian service in a Federal, State, or local government program or with a community-based agency or community-based entity that, as determined by the President, is engaged in meeting human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3C2CEDBB679B446782A46F030807D6F6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The term <term>Secretary concerned</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFC44FF6BD4EB453290A0EBDBF01792CA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7D13E5C18B1544AEAF3D2B33B0051088"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE471D28FFF2D426DBCC894746F3BA210"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Secretary of Commerce with respect to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H649385D9ADB54F46BE960FA8A48D7C27"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the Public Health Service.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3F5F292D3A441CD83E3DF7370473CF8"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The term <term>United States</term>, when used in a geographical sense, means the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H66447984531E4EDE9673794A6970274D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The term <term>uniformed services</term> means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="H1ED682465AA341F5BC719021EC8C1CD4"><enum>102.</enum><header>National service obligation</header>
<subsection id="H4162494577ED4FED908E2E1637ED9CD6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Obligation for service</header><text>It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 25 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this title unless exempted under the provisions of this title.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H3F1CDD9AD4E0473E8EDED210171D6CCD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Forms of national service</header><text>The national service obligation under this title shall be performed either through—</text>
<paragraph id="HFAF954FCD16B4A33BDD8D1EA1320E22A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>military service; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB475B530254F458CAEDCD311B446B4F9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">civilian service in a Federal, State, or local government program or with a community-based agency or community-based entity that, as determined by the President, is engaged in meeting human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HDD6D69AD627549B68080D1666464BB4C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Age limits</header><text>A person may be inducted under this title only if the person has attained the age of 18 and has not attained the age of 25.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H97FF0826655848B3BCD2B1465CC4C8F3"><enum>103.</enum><header>Induction to perform national service</header>
<subsection id="HAA294E0FB0A8406691D1CBC352273A47"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Induction requirements</header><text>The President shall provide for the induction of persons described in section 102(a) to perform their national service obligation.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCC735A2DCE324604B95E1571DA5CBF2A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation on induction for military service</header><text>Persons described in section 102(a) may be inducted to perform military service only if—</text>
<paragraph id="H613B40874F4E4D5F909A3FD46E828BCC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a declaration of war is in effect;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA7984B02E4C0429A83ECD92F37C80970"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the President declares a national emergency, which the President determines necessitates the induction of persons to perform military service, and immediately informs Congress of the reasons for the declaration and the need to induct persons for military service; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8AFA57232F964BBAB8A5DB140FAD6752"><enum>(3)</enum><text>members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps are engaged in a contingency operation pursuant to a congressional authorization for the use of military force.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4F266A91713E4733BF6A43B2802FB139"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Limitation on number of persons inducted for military service</header><text>When the induction of persons for military service is authorized by subsection (b), the President shall determine the number of persons described in section 102(a) whose national service obligation is to be satisfied through military service based on—</text>
<paragraph id="HA69F9F96312441BC8E2FECA178993211"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the authorized end strengths of the uniformed services; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF0843AED0CD84D7296362C71C1CAE7AE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the feasibility of the uniformed services to recruit sufficient volunteers to achieve such end-strength levels.</text></paragraph> </subsection>
<subsection id="H879A9E738EA34831AC8D8DEE9D1034B7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Selection for induction</header>
<paragraph id="H24370419346E42E8BC35E41D679F872A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Random selection for military service</header><text>When the induction of persons for military service is authorized by subsection (b), the President shall utilize a mechanism for the random selection of persons to be inducted to perform military service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H35FD027D4CFE45EF9278FA57D0F7CD3D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Random selection for civilian service</header><text>Persons described in section 102(a) who do not volunteer to perform military service or are not inducted for military service shall perform their national service obligation in a civilian capacity pursuant to section 102(b)(2).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC262BC702318447387369689FDADF7DC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Voluntary service</header><text>A person subject to induction under this title may—</text>
<paragraph id="HF51BA9BBD8C44DDCB09D8BFA0EA03262"><enum>(1)</enum><text>volunteer to perform national service in lieu of being inducted; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8D279DDF0E5A4C07B2B7D2A921263C8E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>request permission to be inducted at a time other than the time at which the person is otherwise called for induction.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H4E2E2DA4784D4F66891BF8CEE779103D"><enum>104.</enum><header>Two-year period of national service</header>
<subsection id="HCDBA376911734A72BEF90F698654377D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>General rule</header><text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, the period of national service performed by a person under this title shall be two years.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H594BEE8604324A7286F6B5BB5544D49B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grounds for extension</header><text>At the discretion of the President, the period of military service for a member of the uniformed services under this title may be extended—</text>
<paragraph id="HDA3E2FD850044B4098B93D88821C7F5D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>with the consent of the member, for the purpose of furnishing hospitalization, medical, or surgical care for injury or illness incurred in line of duty; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0E2CF1F1F1BD45ABB6903F4F3BD1A9D9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>for the purpose of requiring the member to compensate for any time lost to training for any cause.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H04C4E0B9FDFF45D4AE95F2E48044A5E8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Early termination</header><text>The period of national service for a person under this title shall be terminated before the end of such period under the following circumstances:</text>
<paragraph id="H02F3A10E200142478FFE821B5F164214"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The voluntary enlistment and active service of the person in an active or reserve component of the uniformed services for a period of at least two years, in which case the period of basic military training and education actually served by the person shall be counted toward the term of enlistment.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7FA29E65CC554C70A104AF7FE1A8C24A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The admission and service of the person as a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCAA91857C26B46CEABFBA437A46A15C2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The enrollment and service of the person in an officer candidate program, if the person has signed an agreement to accept a Reserve commission in the appropriate service with an obligation to serve on active duty if such a commission is offered upon completion of the program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6C7DA5777F054A889E917938A5D59C3C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Such other grounds as the President may establish.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H7BF20641436043889812DE1974DC6EF1"><enum>105.</enum><header>Implementation by the President</header>
<subsection id="HE1A20B57CC6443B1852619660394DE1E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The President shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H5972BAD8732642E38B32895173422B6C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Matter To be covered by regulations</header><text>Such regulations shall include specification of the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H0188C4E3D0EA4EFE974E43D605228C20"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The types of civilian service that may be performed in order for a person to satisfy the person's national service obligation under this title.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA91906DDFC154E4682FD0D389F817FE6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The types of Federal, State, and local government programs and programs carried out by a community-based agency or community-based entity that may be used for the performance of national service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCAB3BCCB5803470BA37D5304F57342EE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Standards for satisfactory performance of civilian service and of penalties for failure to perform civilian service satisfactorily.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H27DBDB00657148EEB1D11B747A676889"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The manner in which persons shall be selected for induction under this title, including the manner in which those selected will be notified of such selection.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H208B32A52F3F44C0B7FD757C8CE244E4"><enum>(5)</enum><text>All other administrative matters in connection with the induction of persons under this title and the registration, examination, and classification of such persons.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9873C8524EA1486F84F33B64EDCCAA3B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>A means to determine questions or claims with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from induction under this title, including questions of conscientious objection.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H89EA25244BAE438AA4E9EC6F84A068D2"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Standards for compensation and benefits for persons performing their national service obligation under this title through civilian service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1C47B12EFF174C1685486B36A13CFBE6"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Such other matters as the President determines necessary to carry out this title.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5F4B059354784FFB9A3CF110451DC362"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of prior Act</header><text>To the extent determined appropriate by the President, the President may use for purposes of this title the procedures provided in the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), including procedures for registration, selection, and induction.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H5471318724AC4F3AB191520E7CA9FAFC"><enum>106.</enum><header>Examination and classification of persons</header>
<subsection id="H73FE2C54A34D4032A1626A5FC99C9EF0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Examination</header><text>Every person subject to induction under this title shall, before induction, be physically and mentally examined and shall be classified as to fitness to perform national service.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H3B8C98CA729544C0900F36308C47C83A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Different classification standards</header><text>The President may apply different classification standards for fitness for military service and fitness for civilian service.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H3DDDF5F143BC4878911677292CE1E4E4"><enum>107.</enum><header>Deferments and postponements</header>
<subsection id="HDFCCD262C4FE44A1ACCE1D13279A7234"><enum>(a)</enum><header>High school students</header><text>A person who is pursuing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a secondary school or similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under this title postponed until the person—</text>
<paragraph id="HF736C2F01FC843F390DA5F7946254A8D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>obtains a high school diploma;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H14F76657F9C944F19098B0C803A55EDA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD8D184D7D7734AA6B4D8B93144D74D63"><enum>(3)</enum><text>attains the age of 20.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE2A5EB1219B54007B82DD3F237B4420A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Post secondary students</header><text>A person who is pursuing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a university, technical school or similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under this title postponed until the person—</text>
<paragraph id="HD1C2CA09747644A69D470CFD26CB06A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>obtains a certificate or diploma;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBAE34AFA35B34E8483789325E1BCA2D8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF532D23FA5234F53BF27516E62920F3E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>attains the age of 24.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H60937000FD8E44259D73CD9CBA37750F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Hardship and disability</header><text>Deferments from national service under this title may be made for—</text>
<paragraph id="H14ABC6A9421A4103AD9897E511CB82CC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>extreme hardship; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCABAB08F78C047378676D4DA16D320D7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>physical or mental disability.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H61874D35DCF34EABBE19B0938793E59A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Training capacity</header><text>The President may postpone or suspend the induction of persons for military service under this title as necessary to limit the number of persons receiving basic military training and education to the maximum number that can be adequately trained.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA5676583D9AF43C59DDF62234D647E9B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>No deferment or postponement of induction under this title shall continue after the cause of such deferment or postponement ceases.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HAF08F5A56C084E31959A66844B4525B8"><enum>108.</enum><header>Induction exemptions</header>
<subsection id="H71F28477EF9E4DAB8CB5D0DDCE7B0BC7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>No person may be inducted for military service under this title unless the person is acceptable to the Secretary concerned for training and meets the same health and physical qualifications applicable under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/10/505">section 505</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, to persons seeking original enlistment in a regular component of the Armed Forces.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H53F4D039A6624759B89DDC1D961C1A64"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Other military service</header><text>No person shall be liable for induction under this title who—</text>
<paragraph id="H8CD185F7C26440928C9901B5B38A8592"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is serving, or has served honorably for at least six months, in any component of the uniformed services on active duty; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA257D46EABF64166A73F35D72E4A0CA5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is or becomes a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a midshipman of a Navy accredited State maritime academy, a member of the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or the naval aviation college program, so long as that person satisfactorily continues in and completes at least two years training therein.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H4EC704C5C238417FB040F1F03B862118"><enum>109.</enum><header>Conscientious objection</header>
<subsection id="H465C9D3FD76F4E4489AE9F9BDD1935C6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Claims as conscientious objector</header><text>Nothing in this title shall be construed to require a person to be subject to combatant training and service in the uniformed services, if that person, by reason of sincerely held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE313E8E0A2C64213B9BC4B1BEB70ED51"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Alternative noncombatant or civilian service</header><text>A person who claims exemption from combatant training and service under subsection (a) and whose claim is sustained by the local board shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H488B666DFA1C47F69CC8DCC5F8A2BD99"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be assigned to noncombatant service (as defined by the President), if the person is inducted into the uniformed services; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H046D6434FAB24B12A914665F7DBFDB78"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be ordered by the local board, if found to be conscientiously opposed to participation in such noncombatant service, to perform civilian service for the period specified in section 104(a) and subject to such regulations as the President may prescribe.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H722190C316B3489084F4C411BF7280EB"><enum>110.</enum><header>Discharge following national service</header>
<subsection id="H16D1C4D5B9B740608F30E28C7693A180"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Discharge</header><text>Upon completion or termination of the obligation to perform national service under this title, a person shall be discharged from the uniformed services or from civilian service, as the case may be, and shall not be subject to any further service under this title.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HB0A1A96A56F946C2B9449EE770DAB9EA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordination with other Authorities</header><text>Nothing in this section shall limit or prohibit the call to active service in the uniformed services of any person who is a member of a regular or reserve component of the uniformed services.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Amendments to military selective service act</header>
<section id="H4C0DCBE281C24B8F84D72C37F1C8C911"><enum>201.</enum><header>Registration of females</header>
<subsection id="H527993110D92481BBD00F1D068ABC130"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Registration required</header><text>Section 3(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/50/453">50 U.S.C. 453(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H5F038871DE9F4CF0B0A9D4118368FD31"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>male</quote> both places it appears;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA32BBAE7AD3740F9BEC6882837068BB8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>or herself</quote> after <quote>himself</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H76A69948A108405AA21361C8C923E6DA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>the person</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H44F671CD4F784DC59F39FA9EF4782EBD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 16(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc-appendix" parsable-cite="usc-appendix/50/466">50 U.S.C. App. 466(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>men</quote> and inserting <quote>persons</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HFCFB4B8DD9C045968C083278035545C0"><enum>202.</enum><header>Registration and induction authority</header>
<subsection id="HAAAB54A4F4B2440D8766DAA47EFD2ACE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Registration</header><text>Section 4 of the Military Selective Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc-appendix" parsable-cite="usc-appendix/50/454">50 U.S.C. App. 454</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H68E449F261C640C3B00410230E99CE2F" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H2F7B201F851D4380B101EE35412CCC4E"><enum>(h)</enum><text>This section does not apply with respect to the induction of persons into the Armed Forces pursuant to the Universal National Service Act.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H826E2BFEF6314399AE6AB8A25CAF7205"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Induction</header><text>Section 17(c) of the Military Selective Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc-appendix" parsable-cite="usc-appendix/50/467">50 U.S.C. App. 467(c)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>now or hereafter</quote> and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting <quote>inducted pursuant to the Universal National Service Act.</quote>.</text></subsection></section>