[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1467 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1467
To require a pilot program on information sharing between the
Department of Defense and designated relatives and friends of members
of the Armed Forces regarding the experiences and challenges of
military service, particularly during and after overseas deployments,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 14, 2019
Ms. Sinema (for herself, Mr. Tillis, and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require a pilot program on information sharing between the
Department of Defense and designated relatives and friends of members
of the Armed Forces regarding the experiences and challenges of
military service, particularly during and after overseas deployments,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sergeant Daniel Somers Network of
Support Act''.
SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE AND DESIGNATED RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES REGARDING THE EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES OF MILITARY SERVICE.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek
to enter into an agreement with the American Red Cross to carry
out a pilot program under which--
(A) the American Red Cross--
(i) encourages a member of the Armed
Forces, upon the enlistment or appointment of
such member, to designate up to 15 persons to
whom information regarding the military service
of such member shall be disseminated using
contact information obtained under paragraph
(5); and
(ii) provides such persons, within 30 days
after the date on which such persons are
designated under clause (i), the option to
elect to receive such information regarding
military service; and
(B) the Secretary disseminates, not less frequently
than quarterly, such information to such persons who
elect to receive such information under subparagraph
(A)(ii).
(2) Types of information.--The types of information to be
disseminated by the Secretary to persons who elect to receive
information under the pilot program shall include information
regarding--
(A) aspects of daily life and routine experienced
by members of the Armed Forces;
(B) the challenges and stresses of military
service, particularly during and after deployment as
part of a contingency operation;
(C) the services available to members of the Armed
Forces and the dependents of such members to cope with
the experiences and challenges of military service;
(D) benefits administered by the Secretary for
members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such
members;
(E) a toll-free telephone number through which such
persons who elect to receive information under the
pilot program may request information regarding the
program; and
(F) such other information as the Secretary, in
consultation with members of the Armed Forces and such
persons who elect to receive information under the
pilot program, determines to be appropriate.
(3) Privacy of information.--In carrying out the pilot
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not disseminate
information under paragraph (2) in violation of laws and
regulations pertaining to the privacy of members of the Armed
Forces, including requirements pursuant to--
(A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code;
and
(B) the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191).
(4) Notice and modifications.--In carrying out the pilot
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect
to a member of the Armed Forces--
(A) ensure that such member is notified of the
ability to modify designations made by such member
under paragraph (1)(A); and
(B) upon the request of a member, authorize such
member to modify such designations at any time.
(5) Contact information.--In making a designation under the
pilot program, a member of the Armed Forces shall provide
necessary contact information, specifically including an email
address, to facilitate the dissemination of information
regarding the military service of the member.
(6) Opt-out of program.--In carrying out the pilot program
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to a
person who has elected to receive information under such pilot
program, cease disseminating such information to that person
upon request of such person.
(b) Survey and Report on Pilot Program.--
(1) Survey.--Not later than two years after the date on
which the pilot program commences, the Secretary, in
consultation with the American Red Cross, shall administer a
survey to persons who elected to receive information under the
pilot program for the purpose of receiving feedback regarding
the quality of information disseminated under this section,
including whether such information appropriately reflects the
military career progression of members of the Armed Forces.
(2) Report.--Not later than three years after the date on
which the pilot program commences, the Secretary shall submit
to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot
program which includes--
(A) the results of the survey administered under
paragraph (1);
(B) a determination as to whether the pilot program
should be made permanent; and
(C) recommendations as to modifications necessary
to improve the program if made permanent.
(3) Congressional defense committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``congressional defense committees'' has
the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, United
States Code.
(c) Termination of Pilot Program.--The pilot program shall
terminate upon submission of the report required by subsection (b)(2).
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