Bill > S3691

This bill establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services, a group tasked with investigating and documenting the historical impacts of discriminatory policies related to sexual orientation and gender identity within the U.S. military and other uniformed services. The Commission will collect information on how these policies affected servicemembers' eligibility for benefits, their mental and physical well-being, and their long-term outcomes, including issues like suicidality and homelessness. It will also examine the disparate impact on minority groups, the effects on dependents, and the denial of medically necessary healthcare, such as treatments for gender dysphoria. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Commission to assess the impact of these policies on military readiness and to investigate how demographic data was altered without consent. The Commission will gather testimonies, hold public hearings, and ultimately recommend remedies, which could include apologies, compensation for lost opportunities and benefits, restoration of gender-affirming care, streamlined record corrections, and increased visibility of LGBTQ+ service in official materials. The Commission will consist of 15 members appointed by various congressional leaders and government secretaries, with qualifications emphasizing expertise in advocating for LGBTQ+ members of the uniformed services. The Commission will terminate 90 days after submitting its final report to Congress.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3691/all-info