Bill > HR6489

This bill aims to improve military family readiness. It includes the following key provisions: 1. Requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to define "military family readiness" and "military family resiliency" within six months, and to establish a communication strategy with military families within one year, including updating an annual survey to address issues like communication, child care, education, spousal employment, and healthcare. 2. Requires the DoD to standardize the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) across the military departments, including processes for identification and enrollment, permanent change of orders, review of available services, respite care, and a requirement for dedicated EFMP attorneys at select installations. 3. Directs the DoD to evaluate the feasibility of providing 24-hour child care for children of service members and DoD employees working rotating shifts, and to develop metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the DoD child care priority system. 4. Requires the DoD to conduct a study on the performance of the Department of Defense Education Activity, including its curriculum, student outcomes, and School Liaison Officer program. 5. Requires the DoD to report on the effectiveness of autism treatment methodologies under the TRICARE program and the prevalence of autism among dependents of service members. 6. Requires the DoD to report on the funding and staffing needs for behavioral health professionals to treat service members and their families. 7. Requires the DoD to develop a policy and tracking mechanism to monitor and limit the over-prescribing of opioids. 8. Establishes a pilot program with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency to recruit and train military spouses for positions in the national security field.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6489/all-info