Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Victims Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (NDAA 2014) to revise the sexual assault prevention and response program activities of the Armed Forces.

(Sec. 2) Amends NDAA 2014 to include the senior trial counsel detailed to a case involving sex-related charges in the process for determining whether such charges should be referred for a court-martial (currently, such determination is made solely by the staff judge advocate).

(Sec. 3) Requires the Special Victims' Counsel, in cases involving sexual assaults in the military, to provide advice to assault victims on the advantages and disadvantages of prosecuting such assaults by court-martial or in a civilian court. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to: (1) establish a process to ensure consultation with the victim of a sexual assault to determine such victim's preference for prosecuting such assault either by court-martial or in a civilian court, and (2) afford great weight to such preference in determining which court shall prosecute the offense. Requires notification to a victim who expresses a preference for prosecution in a civilian court if a decision is made to decline prosecution or prosecute such offense by court-martial.

Requires performance appraisals of: (1) officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces to include an assessment of the extent to which such members support their respective sexual assault prevention and response programs, and (2) a commanding officer to indicate the extent to which such officer has established a command climate in which allegations of sexual assault are properly managed and fairly evaluated and a victim can report criminal activity without fear of retaliation or ostracism.

Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to establish a process for a command climate assessment and for a confidential challenge by an individual who was the victim of a sexual assault of the terms or characterization of such individual's discharge or separation from the Armed Forces.

Requires a modification of the Military Rules of Evidence to clarify that evidence of the general military character of an individual accused of a criminal offense (good soldier defense) shall not be admissible for the purpose of showing the probability of innocence of such individual, unless such evidence is relevant to an element of the offense for which the accused has been charged.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to ensure that provisions of NDAA 2014 relating to sexual assault prevention and response apply to the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that such provisions apply to the Coast Guard Academy.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Attorney General to jointly develop a strategic framework for collaboration between DOD and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prevent and respond to cases of sexual assault and report to the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees of Congress on such framework. Requires such framework to be based on and to include: (1) an assessment of the role of DOD in investigations and prosecutions of sexual assault cases in which DOD and DOJ have concurrent jurisdiction; (2) an assessment of the feasibility of establishing the position of advisor on military sexual assaults within DOJ and provide DOD investigative and other assistance in sexual assault cases on domestic and overseas military installations; (3) an assessment of the number of unsolved sexual assault cases; (4) a strategy to leverage efforts by DOD and DOJ to improve the quality of investigations, prosecutions, specialized training, services to victims, awareness, and prevention and to address social conditions that relate to sexual assault; and (5) mechanisms to promote information sharing and best practices between DOD and DOJ.

(Sec. 6) Advances from 120 to 60 days after the enactment of NDAA 2014 the due date for the report of the DOD Secretary on a proposed punitive article under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for violations of prohibitions against inappropriate contact with prospective and new members of the Armed Forces.

(Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the panel to review and assess the systems used to respond to sexual assault established by NDAA 2014 is conducting an independent assessment of the systems used to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate crimes involving adult sexual assault and related offenses; (2) the work of such panel will be critical in informing the efforts of Congress to combat rape, sexual assault, and other sex-related crimes in the Armed Forces; (3) the panel should include in its assessment a review of the reforms that will be enacted by NDAA 2014; and (4) the views of the victim advocate community should continue to be well-represented on the panel.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure victims protection act amends national defense authorization act fiscal year ndaa revise sexual assault prevention response program activities armed_forces sec amends ndaa include senior trial counsel detailed case involving sex related charges process determining charges referred court martial currently determination solely staff judge advocate sec requires special victims counsel cases involving sexual assaults military provide advice assault victims advantages disadvantages prosecuting assaults court martial civilian court requires secretaries military departments establish process ensure consultation victim sexual assault determine victim preference prosecuting assault court martial civilian court afford great weight preference determining court shall prosecute offense requires notification victim expresses preference prosecution civilian court decision decline prosecution prosecute offense court martial requires performance appraisals officers enlisted personnel armed_forces include assessment extent members support respective sexual assault prevention response programs commanding officer indicate extent officer established command climate allegations sexual assault properly managed fairly evaluated victim report criminal activity fear retaliation requires secretaries military departments establish process command climate assessment confidential challenge individual victim sexual assault terms characterization individual discharge separation armed_forces requires modification clarify evidence general military character individual accused criminal offense good soldier defense shall admissible purpose showing probability innocence individual evidence relevant element offense accused charged sec requires secretary military department concerned ensure provisions ndaa relating sexual assault prevention response apply requires secretary homeland_security dhs ensure provisions apply coast_guard_academy sec requires secretary defense dod attorney general jointly develop strategic framework collaboration dod department_of_justice doj prevent respond cases sexual assault report congress framework requires framework based include assessment role dod investigations prosecutions sexual assault cases dod doj concurrent jurisdiction assessment feasibility establishing position advisor military sexual assaults doj provide dod investigative assistance sexual assault cases domestic overseas military installations assessment number unsolved sexual assault cases strategy leverage efforts dod doj improve quality investigations prosecutions specialized training services victims awareness prevention address social conditions relate sexual assault mechanisms promote information sharing best practices dod doj sec advances days enactment date report dod secretary proposed punitive article uniform code military justice ucmj violations prohibitions inappropriate contact prospective new members armed_forces sec expresses sense senate panel review assess systems respond sexual assault established conducting independent assessment systems investigate prosecute adjudicate crimes involving adult sexual assault related offenses work panel critical informing efforts congress combat rape sexual assault sex related crimes armed_forces panel include assessment review reforms enacted views victim advocate community continue represented panel


Summary:
Restore Honor to Service Members Act - Requires appropriate military record correction boards or discharge review boards to review the discharge characterization of any former members of the Armed Forces requesting a review who were discharged because of their sexual orientation. Permits such boards to change a characterization to honorable if such characterization is any characterization except honorable.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that any such changes are carried out consistently and uniformly across the military departments using specified criteria, including that: (1) the original discharge was based on the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell (as in effect before it was repealed pursuant to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010) or a similar earlier policy; and (2) the discharge characterization will be changed if, with respect to the original discharge, there were no aggravating circumstances, such as misconduct, that would have independently led to any discharge characterization except honorable.

Prohibits "aggravating circumstances" from including: (1) an offense of sodomy committed by the member against a consenting person of the same sex; or (2) statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or identity, or the disclosure of such statements, conduct, or acts, that were prohibited at the time of discharge but that became permitted after such discharge.

Directs the Secretary of each military department to ensure that oral historians of the department: (1) review discharges between World War II and September 2011 based on sexual orientation, and (2) receive oral testimony of individuals who personally experienced discrimination and discharge because of actual or perceived sexual orientation so that such testimony may serve as an official record of such discriminatory policies and their impact on American lives.

Requires the reissuance of specified military personnel records and discharge forms in a manner that shall not reflect the sexual orientation of the member.

service members act_-_requires appropriate military record correction boards discharge review boards review discharge characterization members armed_forces requesting review discharged sexual orientation permits boards change characterization honorable characterization characterization honorable directs secretary defense dod ensure changes carried consistently uniformly military departments specified criteria including original discharge based policy ask tell effect repealed pursuant ask tell repeal act similar earlier policy discharge characterization changed respect original discharge aggravating circumstances misconduct independently led discharge characterization honorable prohibits aggravating circumstances including offense sodomy committed member consenting person sex statements consensual sexual conduct consensual acts relating sexual orientation identity disclosure statements conduct acts prohibited time discharge permitted discharge directs secretary military department ensure oral department review discharges world war september based sexual orientation receive oral testimony individuals personally experienced discrimination discharge actual perceived sexual orientation testimony serve official record discriminatory policies impact american lives requires reissuance specified military personnel records discharge forms manner shall reflect sexual orientation member


Summary:
SCRA Rights Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy that arises under a contract with a servicemember (or with a servicemember and spouse jointly) that provides for arbitration, only if all parties to the controversy consent in writing to arbitration after the controversy arises.

Allows a servicemember's waiver of any of such Act's rights and protections to be effective only if it is made after a specific dispute has arisen and the dispute is identified in the waiver.

Allows a representative of members of an aggrieved class, or a member of such class, to bring a private civil action for a violation of any rights or protections under such Act.

scra rights protection act amends servicemembers civil relief act allow use arbitration resolve controversy arises contract servicemember servicemember spouse jointly provides arbitration parties controversy consent writing arbitration controversy arises allows servicemember waiver act rights protections effective specific dispute arisen dispute identified waiver allows representative members aggrieved class member class bring private civil action violation rights protections act


Summary:
Military Mental Health Review Board Improvement Act - Requires any medical advisory opinion issued to a civilian board for the correction of a military record, with respect to a current or former member of the Armed Forces diagnosed while serving in the Armed Forces as experiencing a mental health disorder, to include the opinion of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist if the request for the correction of the records concerned relates to a mental health disorder.

Requires any physician on a board for review of a discharge or dismissal of certain former members of the Armed Forces, who after deployment were diagnosed as experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury, or as having a mental health disorder, to have training on mental health issues connected with PTSD or traumatic brain injury (as applicable), or special training on mental health disorders.

military mental health review board improvement act requires medical advisory opinion issued civilian board correction military record respect current member armed_forces diagnosed serving armed_forces experiencing mental health disorder include opinion clinical psychologist psychiatrist request correction records concerned relates mental health disorder requires physician board review discharge dismissal certain members armed_forces deployment diagnosed experiencing post traumatic stress disorder ptsd traumatic brain injury having mental health disorder training mental health issues connected ptsd traumatic brain injury applicable special training mental health disorders


Summary:
Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act of 2014 or the MEPS Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) provide an individual with a mental health assessment before such individual enlists, or is commissioned as an officer, in the Armed Forces; and (2) use assessment results as a baseline for any subsequent mental health examination. Prohibits such Secretary from considering the results of such assessment in determining the assignment or promotion of a member of the Armed Forces.

Requires the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to submit to Congress and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) a report on preliminary mental health assessments of members, including recommendations regarding: (1) establishing such an assessment to bring mental health screenings to parity with physical screenings of members; and (2) the composition of the assessment, best practices, and how to track assessment changes relating to traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.

Requires the Secretary concerned to provide a comprehensive physical examination and a mental health screening to each member who, after a period of active duty of more than 180 days, is undergoing separation from the Armed Forces and is not otherwise provided such examination or screening in connection with such separation from either DOD or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress an assessment of DOD's capacity to provide each member who is undergoing separation an electronic copy of the member's service treatment record at the time of separation.

medical evaluation parity servicemembers act act directs secretary military department concerned provide individual mental health assessment individual commissioned officer armed_forces use assessment results baseline subsequent mental health examination prohibits secretary considering results assessment determining assignment promotion member armed_forces requires national_institute_of_mental_health national_institutes_of_health nih submit congress secretary defense dod report preliminary mental health assessments members including recommendations establishing assessment bring mental health screenings parity physical screenings members composition assessment best practices track assessment changes relating traumatic brain injuries post traumatic stress disorder conditions requires secretary concerned provide comprehensive physical examination mental health screening member period active duty days undergoing separation armed_forces provided examination screening connection separation dod department_of_veterans_affairs directs secretary defense submit congress assessment dod capacity provide member undergoing separation electronic copy member service treatment record time separation


Summary:
Directs the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to carry out an anonymous survey of random members of the Armed Forces regarding their preferences in military pay and benefits, with respect to: (1) the relative value that they place on specified forms of compensation (including basic pay, allowances for housing and subsistence, bonuses, various healthcare benefits, and retirement pay); (2) how they value different levels of pay or benefits, including the impact of copayments or deductibles; and (3) how information collected varies by age, grade, dependent status, and other factors.

Directs the Commission to submit to the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and Congress and make available to the public a report on the analysis and raw data of the survey.

Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 to require the Commission to make its recommendations for changes to the military compensation and retirement systems only after examining the analysis and raw data collected pursuant to such survey.

directs carry anonymous survey random members armed_forces preferences military pay benefits respect relative value place specified forms compensation including basic pay allowances housing subsistence bonuses healthcare benefits retirement pay value different levels pay benefits including impact copayments deductibles information collected varies age grade dependent status factors directs commission submit secretary defense dod congress available public report analysis raw data survey amends national defense authorization act fy2013 require commission recommendations changes military compensation retirement systems examining analysis raw data collected pursuant survey


Summary:
Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), at least once each year, to: (1) provide a person-to-person mental health assessment for each member of the Armed Forces on active duty and for each member of the Ready Reserve of an Armed Force for the purpose of identifying mental health conditions to determine which members are in need of additional care, treatment, or other services; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees a report on such assessments, including on the number of members referred for care and services based on mental health conditions detected.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) convene an interagency working group to review and recommend collaborative approaches to improving the provision of mental health services to members of the National Guard and the Reserves; (2) report the findings and recommendations of the working group to specified congressional committees; and (3) report to the Armed Services Committees on an evaluation of specific tools, processes, and best practices to improve the identification of, and treatment by the Armed Forces of, mental health conditions and traumatic brain injury among members of the Armed Forces.

jacob military suicide prevention act directs secretary defense dod year provide person person mental health assessment member armed_forces active duty member ready_reserve armed force purpose identifying mental health conditions determine members need additional care treatment services submit house report assessments including number members referred care services based mental health conditions detected requires secretary convene interagency working group review recommend collaborative approaches improving provision mental health services members national_guard reserves report findings recommendations working group specified congressional committees report evaluation specific tools processes best practices improve identification treatment armed_forces mental health conditions traumatic brain injury members armed_forces


Summary:
Revises the conditions for payment of expenses to military personnel to obtain professional credentials to include those for federal occupational licenses.

Adds as conditions for such payment that the credentials be necessary to meet: (1) readiness requirements or professional occupational development goals of the particular armed force or the member's self-development needs; and (2) certain International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission accreditation standards, with exceptions for a credentialing agency that agrees to seek to obtain compliance certification within three years.

Authorizes the payment of the expenses from amounts available for tuition assistance for members under the jurisdiction of the appropriate Secretary.

Defines "expenses" as those for classroom instruction, hands-on training (and associated materials), manuals, study guides and materials, textbooks, and processing, test, and related fees.

revises conditions payment expenses military personnel obtain professional credentials include federal occupational licenses adds conditions payment credentials necessary meet readiness requirements professional occupational development goals particular armed force member self development needs certain accreditation standards exceptions credentialing agency agrees seek obtain compliance certification years authorizes payment expenses amounts available tuition assistance members jurisdiction appropriate secretary defines expenses classroom instruction hands training associated materials manuals study guides materials textbooks processing test related fees


Summary: Department of Defense Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress a policy for the development of a standard method for collecting, reporting, and assessing suicide data and suicide-attempt data involving members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, and their dependents.

requires secretary defense dod submit congress policy development standard method collecting reporting assessing suicide data suicide attempt data involving members armed_forces including reserve components dependents


Summary:
Military Opportunities for Mothers Act or the MOM Act - Requires military personnel who give birth to a child to be given 42 days of convalescent leave for use in connection with that birth.

Allows military personnel up to 42 additional days of leave in connection with the birth of such child upon the expiration of the convalescent leave, but:

 makes them ineligible for basic pay for any day on which such additional leave is used, although they are to be considered to be on active duty for all other purposes; and their commanding officer may recall them from such leave when necessary to maintain unit readiness.

military opportunities mothers act mom act requires military personnel birth child given days convalescent leave use connection birth allows military personnel additional days leave connection birth child expiration convalescent leave makes ineligible basic pay day additional leave considered active duty purposes commanding officer recall leave necessary maintain unit readiness


Summary:
Fairman Significant Event Tracker (SET) Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a significant event tracker (SET) system to track and report individual exposures to traumatic events for members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, to show evidence of possible trauma incurred during their service and to address mental health issues.

Authorizes reportable events to be entered by: (1) unit commanders and subunit leaders when an event affects the entire unit or subunit, (2) a medical treatment facility when an event affects a member undergoing treatment for an injury sustained in connection with an event, and (3) military law enforcement when an event involves victimization or witnessing of a sexual assault.

Defines "reportable event" to include: (1) kinetic combat patrol; (2) witnessed loss of life, dismemberment, or significant physical injury in a combat operation, expeditionary operation, or peacetime regular training; (3) traumatic brain injury; and (4) victimization or witnessing of a sexual assault.

Requires a secure central tracking database to be established as the central repository for all reportable events.

Requires a unit's commanding officer to review and determine the disposition of certain reportable events by assigning designations indicating whether an event is approved, contested, or denied. Requires all reportable events to be entered in the central database regardless of designation.

Permits access to such database by: (1) medical treatment facilities consulting for diagnosis; and (2) military law enforcement and criminal investigative services for purposes of obtaining a limited summary (excluding specific information about events, evidence, or members' private personal information) to diagnose patterns and trends related to crimes committed inside their jurisdiction.

Allows, with the member's consent, a member's complete SET record to be reviewed by the member's: (1) military and civilian legal representatives, unit commander, or military judge in military disciplinary or judicial proceedings; and (2) civilian legal representatives in non-military proceedings.

Requires the official SET record of a member to be used by: (1) the Medical Evaluation Board or Physical Evaluation Board in the case of a member preparing for medical retirement due to injury or other conditions, (2) the medical officer of the member's parent unit in the case of a member preparing for a non-medical discharge or retirement, and (3) a benefits specialist in the case of a member initiating a Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim.

Requires, upon a member's separation from service in the Armed Forces, that copies of the member's SET record be distributed to: (1) the separating member; (2) the separating member's service personnel file; (3) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and (4) if specifically designated by the member, the veteran affairs agency of the veteran's state and any other veterans service organization.

Directs unit commanders to notify the appropriate military criminal investigative service of any reportable event involving the victimization or witnessing of a sexual assault.

significant event set act requires secretary defense dod establish significant event set system track report individual exposures traumatic events members armed_forces including reserve components evidence possible trauma incurred service address mental health issues authorizes reportable events entered unit commanders leaders event affects entire unit medical treatment facility event affects member undergoing treatment injury sustained connection event military law enforcement event involves victimization witnessing sexual assault defines reportable event include kinetic combat patrol witnessed loss life dismemberment significant physical injury combat operation expeditionary operation peacetime regular training traumatic brain injury victimization witnessing sexual assault requires secure central tracking database established central repository reportable events requires unit commanding officer review determine disposition certain reportable events assigning designations indicating event approved contested denied requires reportable events entered central database regardless designation permits access database medical treatment facilities consulting diagnosis military law enforcement criminal investigative services purposes obtaining limited summary excluding specific information events evidence members private personal information diagnose patterns trends related crimes committed inside jurisdiction allows member consent member complete set record reviewed member military civilian legal representatives unit commander military judge military disciplinary judicial proceedings civilian legal representatives non military proceedings requires official set record member physical_evaluation_board case member preparing medical retirement injury conditions medical officer member parent unit case member preparing non medical discharge retirement benefits specialist case member initiating benefits delivery discharge claim requires member separation service armed_forces copies member set record distributed separating member separating member service personnel file department_of_veterans_affairs specifically designated member veteran affairs agency veteran state veterans service organization directs unit commanders notify appropriate military criminal investigative service reportable event involving victimization witnessing sexual assault


Summary:
Servicemember Employment Protection Act of 2014 - Makes unenforceable any clause of an agreement between an employer and employee requiring arbitration of a dispute arising under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Provides an exception when both parties voluntarily agree to arbitration. Requires any issue as to whether such requirement applies to an arbitration clause to be determined by federal law and the validity or enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate to be determined by a court rather than an arbitrator.

Protects, under USERRA, an individual who is absent from employment in order to receive medical or dental treatment for an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

Authorizes the suspension, termination, or debarment of federal contractors for repeated failures or refusals to comply with USERRA protections.

servicemember employment protection act makes unenforceable clause agreement employer employee requiring arbitration dispute arising uniformed_services_employment_and_reemployment_rights_act userra provides exception parties voluntarily agree arbitration requires issue requirement applies arbitration clause determined federal law validity enforceability agreement arbitrate determined court arbitrator protects userra individual absent employment order receive medical dental treatment injury illness incurred aggravated line duty authorizes suspension termination debarment federal contractors repeated failures refusals comply userra protections


Summary: Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2014 - Amends the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 to make permanent the extended one-year period after a servicemember's military service during which: (1) a court may stay proceedings to enforce an obligation on real or personal property owned by the servicemember prior to such military service; and (2) the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of such property is invalid without a court order or agreement. (Currently, the extended one-year period is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2014, and return to a nine-month period under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.)

foreclosure relief extension servicemembers act amends honoring america veterans families act permanent extended year period servicemember military service court stay proceedings enforce obligation real personal property owned servicemember prior military service sale foreclosure seizure property invalid court order agreement currently extended year period scheduled expire december return month period servicemembers civil relief act


Summary:
Military SAFE Standards Act - Requires sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs) for the Armed Forces to be members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who are physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, physician assistants, or registered nurses. Permits an independent duty corpsman or equivalent to be assigned as a SAFE if the assignment of such a physician, assistant, or nurse is impracticable.

Directs the DOD and DHS Secretaries to: (1) assign at least one SAFE at each military medical treatment facility in the United States and overseas; or (2) enter into agreements with facilities with appropriate resources for the provision of sexual assault forensic examinations for the Armed Forces. Requires at least one SAFE to be assigned to each naval vessel.

Requires the Secretary concerned to establish a SAFE certification program that includes training in sexual assault forensic examinations.

military safe standards act requires sexual assault forensic examiners armed_forces members armed_forces civilian personnel department_of_defense dod department_of_homeland_security dhs physicians nurse practitioners nurse midwives physician assistants registered nurses permits independent duty equivalent assigned safe assignment physician assistant nurse impracticable directs dod dhs secretaries assign safe military medical treatment facility united_states overseas enter agreements facilities appropriate resources provision sexual assault forensic examinations armed_forces requires safe assigned naval vessel requires secretary concerned establish safe certification program includes training sexual assault forensic examinations


Summary:
Mental Health Exposure Military Official Record Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a significant event tracker (SET) system to track and report individual exposures to traumatic events for members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, to show evidence of possible trauma incurred during their service and to address mental health issues.

Authorizes reportable events to be entered by: (1) unit commanders and subunit leaders when an event affects the entire unit or subunit, (2) a medical treatment facility when an event affects a member undergoing treatment for an injury identified by military medical personnel or as reported by a member to such an individual, and (3) military law enforcement when an event involves victimization or witnessing of a sexual assault.

Defines "reportable event" to include: (1) kinetic combat patrol; (2) witnessed loss of life, dismemberment, or significant physical injury in a combat operation, expeditionary operation, or peacetime regular training; (3) traumatic brain injury; and (4) victimization or witnessing of a sexual assault.

Requires a secure central tracking database to be established as the central repository for all reportable events.

Requires a unit's commanding officer to review and determine the disposition of certain reportable events by assigning designations indicating whether an event is approved, contested, or denied. Requires all reportable events to be entered in the central database regardless of designation.

Permits access to such database by: (1) medical treatment facilities consulting for diagnosis; and (2) military law enforcement and criminal investigative services for purposes of obtaining a limited summary (excluding specific information about events, evidence, or members' private personal information) to diagnose patterns and trends related to crimes committed inside their jurisdiction.

Allows, with the member's consent, a member's complete SET record to be reviewed by the member's: (1) military and civilian legal representatives, unit commander, or military judge in military disciplinary or judicial proceedings; and (2) civilian legal representatives in non-military proceedings. Directs the Secretary to provide guidance for accessing records of servicemembers who are mentally incapable of providing their own consent.

Requires the official SET record of a member to be used by: (1) the Medical Evaluation Board or Physical Evaluation Board in the case of a member preparing for medical retirement due to injury or other conditions, (2) the medical officer of the member's parent unit in the case of a member preparing for a non-medical discharge or retirement, and (3) a benefits specialist in the case of a member initiating a Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim.

Requires, upon a member's separation from service in the Armed Forces, that copies of the member's SET record be distributed to: (1) the separating member; (2) the separating member's service personnel and medical file; (3) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and (4) if specifically designated by the member, the veteran affairs agency of the veteran's state and any other veterans service organization.

mental health exposure military official record act requires secretary defense dod establish significant event set system track report individual exposures traumatic events members armed_forces including reserve components evidence possible trauma incurred service address mental health issues authorizes reportable events entered unit commanders leaders event affects entire unit medical treatment facility event affects member undergoing treatment injury identified military medical personnel reported member individual military law enforcement event involves victimization witnessing sexual assault defines reportable event include kinetic combat patrol witnessed loss life dismemberment significant physical injury combat operation expeditionary operation peacetime regular training traumatic brain injury victimization witnessing sexual assault requires secure central tracking database established central repository reportable events requires unit commanding officer review determine disposition certain reportable events assigning designations indicating event approved contested denied requires reportable events entered central database regardless designation permits access database medical treatment facilities consulting diagnosis military law enforcement criminal investigative services purposes obtaining limited summary excluding specific information events evidence members private personal information diagnose patterns trends related crimes committed inside jurisdiction allows member consent member complete set record reviewed member military civilian legal representatives unit commander military judge military disciplinary judicial proceedings civilian legal representatives non military proceedings directs secretary provide guidance accessing records servicemembers mentally incapable providing consent requires official set record member physical_evaluation_board case member preparing medical retirement injury conditions medical officer member parent unit case member preparing non medical discharge retirement benefits specialist case member initiating benefits delivery discharge claim requires member separation service armed_forces copies member set record distributed separating member separating member service personnel medical file department_of_veterans_affairs specifically designated member veteran affairs agency veteran state veterans service organization


Summary: Operation United Assistance Tax Exclusion Act of 2014 - Provides for a tax exclusion of compensation paid to a member of the Armed Forces serving in Operation United Assistance in the Ebola virus disease outbreak area (i.e. Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and any other region designated as experiencing a widespread Ebola virus disease outbreak). Requires that such service member undergo a program of not less than 21 days of controlled monitoring upon return from the outbreak area.

operation provides tax exclusion compensation paid member armed forces serving ebola virus disease outbreak area liberia sierra_leone guinea region designated experiencing widespread ebola virus disease outbreak requires service member undergo program days controlled monitoring return outbreak area


Summary:
Military Justice Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to direct the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Homeland Security (DHS) to require the Secretaries of the military departments to modify the process for determining whether to try by court-martial a member accused of: (1) certain UCMJ offenses for which the maximum punishment includes confinement for more than one year; or (2) a conspiracy, solicitation, or attempt to commit such offenses.

 Requires courts-martial determinations for such offenses to be made by a commissioned officer available for detail as trial counsel who is outside the chain of command of the member subject to the charges. (Currently, courts-martial decisions are made by commanding officers of accused members.)

Excludes from the revised procedures that require counsel outside the chain of command to make such courts-martial determinations certain UCMJ offenses relating specifically to military service, including absence without leave, insubordination, and aiding the enemy.

Prohibits an outside counsel's determination not to proceed to trial by general or special court-martial from altering the authority of commanding officers to: (1) refer noncapital offenses to summary courts-martial with limits on the punishments that may be imposed; or (2) impose non-judicial admonitions, reprimands, or disciplinary punishment for minor offenses.

Requires military chiefs of staff to establish offices to convene general and special courts-martial. Prohibits officers in the chain of command of an accused or a victim from detailing members to serve on a resulting trial by court-martial.

military justice improvement act amends uniform code military justice ucmj direct secretaries defense dod homeland_security dhs require secretaries military departments modify process determining try court martial member accused certain ucmj offenses maximum punishment includes confinement year conspiracy solicitation attempt commit offenses requires courts martial determinations offenses commissioned officer available detail trial counsel outside chain command member subject charges currently courts martial decisions commanding officers accused members excludes revised procedures require counsel outside chain command courts martial determinations certain ucmj offenses relating specifically military service including absence leave aiding enemy prohibits outside counsel determination proceed trial general special court martial altering authority commanding officers refer noncapital offenses summary courts martial limits imposed impose non judicial disciplinary punishment minor offenses requires military chiefs staff establish offices convene general special courts martial prohibits officers chain command accused victim detailing members serve resulting trial court martial


Summary:
Military Justice Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to direct the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Homeland Security (DHS) to require the Secretaries of the military departments to modify the process for determining whether to try by court-martial a member accused of: (1) certain UCMJ offenses for which the maximum punishment includes confinement for more than one year; (2) a conspiracy, solicitation, or attempt to commit such offenses; or (3) retaliation or obstruction of justice offenses regardless of the maximum authorized punishment.

Requires courts-martial determinations for such offenses to be made by a commissioned officer available for detail as trial counsel who is outside the chain of command of the member subject to the charges. (Currently, courts-martial decisions are made by commanding officers of accused members.)

Excludes from the revised procedures that require counsel outside the chain of command to make such courts-martial determinations certain UCMJ offenses relating specifically to military service, including absence without leave, insubordination, and aiding the enemy.

Prohibits an outside counsel's determination not to proceed to trial by general or special court-martial from altering the authority of commanding officers to: (1) refer noncapital offenses to summary courts-martial with limits on the punishments that may be imposed; or (2) impose non-judicial admonitions, reprimands, or disciplinary punishment for minor offenses.

Requires military chiefs of staff to establish offices to convene general and special courts-martial. Prohibits officers in the chain of command of an accused or a victim from detailing members to serve on a resulting trial by court-martial.

Codifies as an offense under the UCMJ a person's retaliation against a person subject to his or her orders for reporting a criminal offense. Establishes an offense for obstruction of justice.

military justice improvement act amends uniform code military justice ucmj direct secretaries defense dod homeland_security dhs require secretaries military departments modify process determining try court martial member accused certain ucmj offenses maximum punishment includes confinement year conspiracy solicitation attempt commit offenses retaliation obstruction justice offenses regardless maximum authorized punishment requires courts martial determinations offenses commissioned officer available detail trial counsel outside chain command member subject charges currently courts martial decisions commanding officers accused members excludes revised procedures require counsel outside chain command courts martial determinations certain ucmj offenses relating specifically military service including absence leave aiding enemy prohibits outside counsel determination proceed trial general special court martial altering authority commanding officers refer noncapital offenses summary courts martial limits imposed impose non judicial disciplinary punishment minor offenses requires military chiefs staff establish offices convene general special courts martial prohibits officers chain command accused victim detailing members serve resulting trial court martial codifies offense ucmj person retaliation person subject orders reporting criminal offense establishes offense obstruction justice


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2014 - Amends the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 to extend through calendar year 2015 the one-year period after a service member's military service during which: (1) a court may stay proceedings to enforce an obligation on real or personal property owned by the service member before such military service; and (2) any sale, foreclosure, or seizure of such property shall be invalid without a court order or waiver agreement signed by the service member. Revives, effective January 1, 2016 (currently, January 1, 2015), the old nine-month period in place of the one-year period granted by such Act.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated foreclosure relief extension servicemembers act amends honoring america veterans families act extend calendar year year period service member military service court stay proceedings enforce obligation real personal property owned service member military service sale foreclosure seizure property shall invalid court order waiver agreement signed service member revives effective january currently january old month period place year period granted act


Summary:
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit to the congressional defense committees by September 30, 2015, a report on the sexual assault prevention activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Armed Forces.

Requires such report to include:

 an assessment of DOD's sexual assault prevention strategy; an assessment of the actions taken by each of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to implement its sexual assault prevention strategy; a comprehensive description of the current sexual assault prevention activities of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps and those planned for the next 12 months; a comprehensive description of the current and planned sexual assault prevention activities at joint installations and the collaborative efforts of the military departments involved; a comparative assessment of the sexual assault prevention activities of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, including the extent to which any differences arise from unique qualities of a particular Armed Force or the efforts of an Armed Force to pursue an innovative approach; an assessment of the procedures and mechanisms used by each Armed Force to ensure that its sexual assault prevention strategy and training are effective in achieving intended objectives; and an assessment of the report required to be submitted by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President by December 1, 2014, on efforts of DOD and the Armed Forces to improve the prevention of and response to sexual assault in the Armed Forces.

directs comptroller_general gao submit congressional defense committees september report sexual assault prevention activities department_of_defense dod armed_forces requires report include assessment dod sexual assault prevention strategy assessment actions taken army navy air_force marine_corps implement sexual assault prevention strategy comprehensive description current sexual assault prevention activities army navy air_force marine_corps planned months comprehensive description current planned sexual assault prevention activities joint installations collaborative efforts military departments involved comparative assessment sexual assault prevention activities army navy air_force marine_corps including extent differences arise unique qualities particular efforts pursue innovative approach assessment procedures mechanisms ensure sexual assault prevention strategy training effective achieving intended objectives assessment report required submitted secretary defense chairman joint_chiefs_of_staff president december efforts dod armed_forces improve prevention response sexual assault armed_forces


Summary:
Operation United Assistance Tax Exclusion Act of 2015

Provides for a tax exclusion of compensation paid to a member of the Armed Forces serving in Operation United Assistance in the Ebola virus disease outbreak area (i.e., Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and any other region designated as experiencing a widespread Ebola virus disease outbreak). Requires that such service member undergo a program of at least 21 days of controlled monitoring upon return from the outbreak area.


Summary:
Helping Military Children Succeed in Schools Act

Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to include in their annual state report cards, by the 2015-2016 school year, information on: (1) the number of their military-connected students, and (2) how those students performed in comparison to all their other students on the assessments of student progress toward state academic achievement standards.

helping military children succeed amends school improvement program title elementary secondary education act require states include annual state report cards school year information number military connected students students performed comparison students assessments student progress state academic achievement standards


Summary:
Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) who moves with such member to another state under a permanent change of station order a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by such spouse. Defines "qualified relicensing costs" as costs for a state license or certification to engage in the profession that such military spouse engaged in while residing in the former state.

military spouse job continuity act amends internal revenue code allow spouse member armed_forces military spouse moves member state permanent change station order tax credit qualified relicensing costs incurred spouse defines qualified relicensing costs costs state license certification engage profession military spouse engaged residing state


Summary:
Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Defense to provide for a program under which postal benefits are provided to a member of the Armed Forces who is on active duty and who is either: (1) serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, or another hostile fire area designated as eligible for hazardous duty pay; or (2) hospitalized at a military medical facility as a result of such service. Requires the postal benefits to be in the form of coupons, vouchers, or other evidence of credit to use for postal-free mailings.

Makes the benefits program applicable during FY2016-FY2021.

supply soldiers act provide program postal benefits provided member armed_forces active duty serving iraq afghanistan hostile fire area designated eligible hazardous duty pay hospitalized military medical facility result service requires postal benefits form coupons vouchers evidence credit use postal free mailings makes benefits program applicable


Summary:
Prohibits uniformed service agencies or the Department of Defense (DOD) from altering the amount of the locality-based travel and transportation per diem allowances or reimbursements to which certain uniformed service members or civilian DOD employees are entitled based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or official travel in a locality.

Nullifies the DOD policy implemented on November 1, 2014, regarding reductions in per diem allowances based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or civilian travel.

prohibits uniformed service agencies department_of_defense dod altering locality based travel transportation diem allowances reimbursements certain uniformed service members civilian dod employees entitled based duration temporary duty assignments official travel locality nullifies dod policy implemented november reductions diem allowances based duration temporary duty assignments civilian travel


Summary:
Preserve and Protect God in Military Oaths Act of 2015

Prohibits any change from being made, except by Act of or authorization by Congress, to the military oaths required for: (1) original appointment as a regular commissioned officer, regular warrant officer, or reserve officer; (2) enlistment in the Armed Forces or National Guard; or (3) admission to a U.S. military service academy.

preserve protect god military oaths act prohibits change act authorization congress military oaths required original appointment regular commissioned officer regular warrant officer reserve officer enlistment admission military service academy


Summary:
Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) provide an individual with a mental health screening before such individual enlists or is commissioned as an officer in the Armed Forces, and (2) use such results as a baseline for any subsequent mental health examinations.

Prohibits the Secretary from considering the results of such screening in determining the promotion of a member of the Armed Forces.

Directs the Secretary to treat a screening in the same manner as medical records with respect to laws and regulations relating to the privacy of information.

Requires the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health to submit to Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) a report on preliminary mental health screenings of members of the Armed Forces, including recommendations regarding: (1) establishing preliminary mental health screenings to establish parity with physical screenings; and (2) the composition of the mental health screening, evidenced-based best practices, and how to track changes relating to traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.

Directs DOD and the Government Accountability Office to report on the efficacy of preliminary mental health screenings. Requires DOD to report on the efficacy of the mental health components of the physical examinations to members of the Armed Forces who are separated from active duty.

medical evaluation parity servicemembers act directs secretary military department concerned provide individual mental health screening individual commissioned officer armed_forces use results baseline subsequent mental health examinations prohibits secretary considering results screening determining promotion member armed_forces directs secretary treat screening manner medical records respect laws regulations relating privacy information requires national_institute_of_mental_health national_institutes_of_health submit congress department_of_defense dod report preliminary mental health screenings members armed_forces including recommendations establishing preliminary mental health screenings establish parity physical screenings composition mental health screening evidenced based best practices track changes relating traumatic brain injuries post traumatic stress disorder conditions directs dod government_accountability_office report efficacy preliminary mental health screenings requires dod report efficacy mental health components physical examinations members armed_forces separated active duty


Summary:
Amends the Military Selective Service Act to require the President to resume the induction of persons subject to registration in the Selective Service System for training and service in the Armed Forces (thereby reinstating the draft) upon the enactment of an authorization on the use of military force or a declaration of war.

 Subjects female citizens and residents of the United States to Selective Service registration requirements.

amends military_selective_service act require president resume induction persons subject registration selective_service_system training service armed_forces reinstating draft enactment authorization use military force declaration war subjects female citizens residents registration requirements


Summary:
Credit Reporting Act for Military Families or the CRAM

Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to an item of adverse information about an active duty military consumer.

Redefines "active duty military consumer" as one who is assigned to service away from the usual duty station for a period of not less than 90 days.

Declares that, if the action or inaction that gave rise to the item occurred while the consumer was an active duty military consumer, then: (1) the consumer may provide appropriate proof, including official orders, to a consumer reporting agency that the consumer was an active duty military consumer at the time the action or inaction occurred; and (2) any consumer report made by the agency including that item of information shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that the consumer was an active duty military consumer when the action or inaction that gave rise to the item occurred.

Requires a consumer reporting agency to notify promptly an active duty military consumer whenever it receives an item of adverse information about him or her, along with a description of the item and the method by which the consumer can dispute the validity of the item.

Requires an agency also to use any separate contact information an active duty military consumer has given it for all communications while the individual is an active duty military consumer.

Declares the sense of Congress that any person making use of a consumer report containing an item of adverse information that occurred while the consumer was an active duty military consumer should take that fact into account when evaluating the consumer's creditworthiness.

Requires a consumer reporting agency, with respect to an item of information under dispute by an active duty military consumer, to include in the consumer's file that he or she was an active duty military consumer at the time the action or inaction that gave rise to the disputed item occurred.

credit reporting act military families amends fair credit reporting act respect item adverse information active duty military consumer redefines active duty military consumer assigned service away usual duty station period days declares action inaction gave rise item occurred consumer active duty military consumer consumer provide appropriate proof including official orders consumer reporting agency consumer active duty military consumer time action inaction occurred consumer report agency including item information shall clearly conspicuously disclose consumer active duty military consumer action inaction gave rise item occurred requires consumer reporting agency notify promptly active duty military consumer receives item adverse information description item method consumer dispute validity item requires agency use separate contact information active duty military consumer given communications individual active duty military consumer declares sense congress person making use consumer report containing item adverse information occurred consumer active duty military consumer fact account evaluating consumer creditworthiness requires consumer reporting agency respect item information dispute active duty military consumer include consumer file active duty military consumer time action inaction gave rise disputed item occurred


Summary:
Keith Nolan Air Force Deaf Demonstration Act of 2015

Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to carry out a demonstration program to assess the feasibility and advisability of permitting individuals with auditory impairments (including deafness) access as officers of the Air Force.

Authorizes between 15 and 20 individuals who are deaf or have a range of other auditory impairments, who otherwise meet all essential qualifications for accession as an officer of the Air Force, and who have not previously served as officers to participate in such program.

Requires selected participants to undergo the Basic Officer Training course or the Commissioned Officer Training course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, at the election of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to designate a special advisor to act as a resource for participants, as well as a liaison between participants and those providing the officer training.

requires secretary air_force carry demonstration program assess feasibility advisability permitting individuals auditory impairments including access officers air_force authorizes individuals deaf range auditory impairments meet essential qualifications accession officer air_force previously served officers participate program requires selected participants undergo basic officer training course commissioned officer training course alabama election secretary requires secretary designate special advisor act resource participants liaison participants providing officer training


Summary:
Military Family Leave Act of 2015

Entitles an employed family member of a member of the Armed Forces who receives notification of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation, to two workweeks of leave per year for each family member who is so called or deployed. Allows such leave to: (1) be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule; and (2) consist of paid or unpaid leave, as the employer considers appropriate.

Allows an employer to require certification of entitlement to such leave within a leave request.

Provides employment and benefits protection for employees upon their return from such leave. Prohibits an employer from interfering with or otherwise denying the exercise of such leave rights.

military family leave act entitles employed family member member armed_forces receives notification order active duty support contingency operation deployed connection contingency operation workweeks leave year family member called deployed allows leave taken intermittently reduced leave schedule consist paid unpaid leave employer considers appropriate allows employer require certification entitlement leave leave request provides employment benefits protection employees return leave prohibits employer interfering denying exercise leave rights


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015 the tax credit for differential wage payments to employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services.

amends internal revenue code extend tax credit differential wage payments employees active duty members uniformed services


Summary:
Legal Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2015

This bill revises whistle blower protections for members of the Armed Forces.

Prohibited personnel actions shall include:

 a superior's failure to respond to retaliatory action or harassment taken against a subordinate; and action that could be understood as an attempt to dissuade a service member from making or preparing a communication, or participating in any other activity. A service member may opt out of a military branch investigation in favor of an investigation by the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General (DODIG).

An investigating Inspector General (IG) may impose a 90-day stay of a personnel action, which may be extended by the military department concerned to complete an investigation, in order to prevent undue hardship to a service member if reasonable grounds exist to believe that a prohibited personnel action has occurred.

Periodic notice must be given to service members on the progress of IG investigations.

IG recommendations for disposition of complaints must include recommendations for disciplinary actions against the person who committed the prohibited personnel action, against a superior who knew or should have known but failed to address the action, or both.

An investigating IG shall submit a substantiated investigation to the appropriate military corrections board unless the service member requests otherwise.

Service members may request a corrections board hearing under specified circumstances.

DODIG shall prescribe uniform standards for: (1) investigation of allegations of prohibited personnel actions, and (2) staff training.

The investigative evidentiary burden of proof shall be "clear and convincing evidence."

Provisions are revised for improvements to authorities and procedures for correction of military records, including permitting a claimant to seek judicial review of a board's determination in an appropriate U.S. court.

The Inspector General Act of 1978 is amended to include the Inspectors General of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the National Guard Bureau, and the Coast Guard in the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

legal justice servicemembers act bill revises whistle blower protections members armed_forces prohibited personnel actions shall include superior failure respond retaliatory action harassment taken subordinate action understood attempt dissuade service member making preparing communication participating activity service member opt military branch investigation favor investigation investigating inspector general impose day stay personnel action extended military department concerned complete investigation order prevent undue hardship service member reasonable grounds exist believe prohibited personnel action occurred periodic notice given service members progress investigations recommendations disposition complaints include recommendations disciplinary actions person committed prohibited personnel action superior knew known failed address action investigating shall submit substantiated investigation appropriate military corrections board service member requests service members request corrections board hearing specified circumstances shall prescribe uniform standards investigation allegations prohibited personnel actions staff training investigative evidentiary burden proof shall clear convincing evidence provisions revised improvements authorities procedures correction military records including permitting claimant seek judicial review board determination appropriate court inspector general act amended include inspectors general army navy air_force marine_corps national_guard_bureau coast_guard council_of_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency


Summary:
Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2015

 This bill increases monthly rates for veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Benefits under any other law (other than duplication of benefits) shall not be reduced or offset because the surviving spouse is eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation.

 Six months after enactment of this Act, the VA shall pay to an individual who is eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation predicated on the death of a veteran before January 1, 1993, monthly dependency and indemnity compensation that is the greater of the amount in effect either before or after enactment of this Act.

surviving spouses benefit improvement act bill increases monthly rates veterans dependency indemnity compensation payable surviving spouses department_of_veterans_affairs benefits law duplication benefits shall reduced offset surviving spouse eligible dependency indemnity compensation months enactment act shall pay individual eligible dependency indemnity compensation predicated death veteran january monthly dependency indemnity compensation greater effect enactment act


Summary:
Wounded Warrior Tax Equity Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent any suspension of the tax collection period after assessment for taxpayers who are members of the Armed Forces due to a continuous hospitalization for combat zone injuries or the next 180 days after such hospitalization.

wounded warrior tax equity act bill amends internal_revenue_code prevent suspension tax collection period assessment taxpayers members armed_forces continuous hospitalization combat zone injuries days hospitalization


Summary:
Fallen Heroes Family Assistance Act

The Secretary of the military department concerned is required to provide transportation for the next of kin to attend the transfer ceremony of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies overseas in the line of duty in a combat or humanitarian relief operation or in combat zone designated by the Secretary of Defense.

fallen heroes family assistance act secretary military department concerned required provide transportation kin attend transfer ceremony member dies overseas line duty combat humanitarian relief operation combat zone designated secretary defense


Summary:
Veterans' Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015

 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay burial and funeral expenses, accrued benefits, dependency and indemnity compensation, and non-service connected disability or death pension amounts to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the VA determines that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the survivor's entitlement to such benefits.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs pay burial funeral expenses accrued benefits dependency indemnity compensation non service connected disability death pension amounts survivor veteran filed formal claim determines record contains sufficient evidence establish survivor entitlement benefits


Summary:
Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the 6% interest rate limitation on debt entered into during a servicemember's military service to any debt entered into to consolidate or refinance one or more student loans incurred before such service.

servicemember act amends servicemembers civil relief act extend interest rate limitation debt entered servicemember military service debt entered consolidate refinance student loans incurred service


Summary:
Military Recruiter Right to Carry Act of 2015

This bill states that, notwithstanding any Department of Defense policy or federal, state, or local law to the contrary, a member of the Armed Forces assigned to duty at an Armed Forces recruitment office has the right to carry a personal or service-issue firearm at the office.

military recruiter right bill states notwithstanding department_of_defense policy federal state local law contrary member armed_forces assigned duty armed_forces recruitment office right carry personal service issue firearm office


Summary:
Securing Military Personnel Response Firearm Initiative Act or SEMPER FI Act

This bill directs the Secretary concerned to authorize an eligible member of the Armed Forces assigned to an Armed Forces recruitment center to carry a service-issue sidearm as a personal- or force-protection measure while on duty at the recruiting center, notwithstanding any federal, state, or local law or Department of Defense policy to the contrary.

In lieu of authorizing eligible members of the Armed Forces to carry a service-issue sidearm, or in addition, the Secretary concerned may implement additional security measures for Armed Forces recruitment centers, including improved structural security measures.

This Act shall not be interpreted to grant any member of the Armed Forces the authority to conduct civilian law enforcement functions within U.S. territory.

response firearm initiative act act bill directs secretary concerned authorize eligible member armed_forces assigned armed_forces recruitment center carry service issue force protection measure duty recruiting center notwithstanding federal state local law department_of_defense policy contrary lieu authorizing eligible members armed_forces carry service issue addition secretary concerned implement additional security measures armed_forces recruitment centers including improved structural security measures act shall interpreted grant member armed_forces authority conduct civilian law enforcement functions territory


Summary:
Armed Forces Career Center Protection Act

This bill directs each of the military departments, and the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to provide for the installation of reinforced bullet-proof glass and entry doors at Armed Forces recruitment centers, including leased recruitment facilities, as an additional security measure.

bill directs military departments department coast_guard operating provide installation reinforced proof glass entry doors armed_forces recruitment centers including leased recruitment facilities additional security measure


Summary:
Half-Staff for Homeland Heroes Act

This bill requires that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in honor of a member of the Armed Forces who dies from an injury incurred or aggravated while serving on active duty in the United States.

half staff homeland heroes act bill requires flag flown half staff honor member armed_forces dies injury incurred aggravated serving active duty united_states


Summary:
US Navy SEAL SCPO Tyrone Snowden Woods Ceremony Invitee Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of State to:

 prescribe a policy by which a member of a diplomatic mission may designate those next-of-kin who will be invited to, and be entitled to attend, any memorial service held to honor the member in the event of his or her death in service to the United States; and publicize such policy and make the appropriate forms available to each member of a diplomatic mission.

ceremony act bill directs department_of_state prescribe policy member diplomatic mission designate kin invited entitled attend memorial service held honor member event death service united_states publicize policy appropriate forms available member diplomatic mission


Summary:
Enlisted Legal Assistance Act

This bill requires the Secretary of the department concerned to provide personal civil legal assistance to:

 an active duty member of the Armed Forces in pay grades E-1 through E-5 and his or her dependents; and a survivor who was a dependent of the member at the time of the member's death, except that survivor eligibility shall be determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned.

enlisted legal assistance act bill requires secretary department concerned provide personal civil legal assistance active duty member armed_forces pay grades dependents survivor dependent member time member death survivor eligibility shall determined pursuant regulations prescribed secretary concerned


Summary:
SCRA Rights Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to allow the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy that arises under a contract with a servicemember (or with a servicemember and spouse jointly) that provides for arbitration, only if all parties to the controversy consent in writing to arbitration after the controversy arises.

A servicemember's waiver of any SCRA rights and protections shall be effective only if it is made after a specific dispute has arisen and is identified in the waiver.

A representative of members of an aggrieved class, or a member of the class, may bring a private civil action for a violation of any SCRA rights or protections.

scra rights protection act bill amends allow use arbitration resolve controversy arises contract servicemember servicemember spouse jointly provides arbitration parties controversy consent writing arbitration controversy arises servicemember waiver scra rights protections shall effective specific dispute arisen identified waiver representative members aggrieved class member class bring private civil action violation scra rights protections


Summary:
Military Family Stability Act of 2015

This bill allows a member of the Armed Forces undergoing a permanent change of station and the member's spouse to elect jointly that the spouse may relocate to the new location at the time during the covered relocation period as the member and spouse jointly select.

The following families shall be eligible:

 the spouse is employed, or enrolled in a degree-, certificate-, or license-granting program, at the beginning of the covered relocation period; the member and spouse have one or more children in school; the spouse or children are covered under the Exceptional Family Member Program; the member and spouse are caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness; or the member is undergoing a permanent change of station as an individual augmentee or other deployment arrangement. Families with other needs may receive exceptions granted by military commanders on a case-by-case basis.

A member undergoing a permanent change of station who has one or more specified dependents and is no longer married to the individual who is or was the parent of such dependents at the beginning of the covered period of relocation may elect that such dependents relocate to the new location as follows:

 by the member alone if the former spouse is dead or has no custodial rights, or by the member and the former spouse jointly in all other circumstances. A member may not make:

 more than three elections; or any election unless the member's period of obligated service, or the time remaining under the member's enlistment contract, at the time of election is at least 24 months. The bill prescribes related housing and housing allowance requirements.

Transportation allowances authorized for personal property of a member and spouse may be allocated as the member and spouse select.

The Department of Defense shall establish a single application approval process for coverage under this Act which shall apply uniformly among the Armed Forces.

military family stability act bill allows member armed_forces undergoing permanent change station member spouse elect jointly spouse relocate new location time covered relocation period member spouse jointly select following families shall eligible spouse employed enrolled license granting program beginning covered relocation period member spouse children school spouse children covered exceptional family member program member spouse caring immediate family member chronic long term illness member undergoing permanent change station individual augmentee deployment arrangement families needs receive exceptions granted military commanders case case basis member undergoing permanent change station specified dependents longer married individual parent dependents beginning covered period relocation elect dependents relocate new location follows member spouse dead custodial rights member spouse jointly circumstances member elections election member period obligated service time remaining member enlistment contract time election months bill prescribes related housing housing allowance requirements transportation allowances authorized personal property member spouse allocated member spouse select department_of_defense shall establish single application approval process coverage act shall apply uniformly armed_forces


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the limitation period for claiming a credit or refund for taxpayers who receive tax-exempt combat pay from 3 years from the date the return was filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, to 15 years from either of such dates.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend limitation period claiming credit refund taxpayers receive tax exempt combat pay years date return filed years date tax paid years dates


Summary:
Arm All Pilots Act of 2015

This bill revises requirements for the federal flight deck officer program.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall designate additional training facilities for:

 firearms training and recurrent training for federal flight deck officers, and initial firearm training and certification of pilots seeking to be deputized as federal flight deck officers. DHS (formerly, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Department of Transportation) shall:

 require officers, but no less than once every six months, to requalify to carry firearms on domestic flights; and permit officers to requalify at certified private or government-owned gun ranges. DHS may require certain limitations on initial and recurrent training for such officers.

The bill revises the authority of federal flight deck officers to carry firearms on domestic and foreign flights.

DHS may not establish medical or physical standards for a pilot to become a federal flight deck officer inconsistent with or more stringent than Federal Aviation Administration requirements for issuance of a first- or second-class airman medical certificate.

A pilot deputized as a federal flight deck officer may move from inactive to active status after completing one recurrent training program.

DHS shall allow officers to be screened through the Transportation Security Administration's Known Crew Member program when entering an airport sterile area.

Each air carrier certifying to DHS that it has a pilot deputized as a federal flight deck officer on all its flights shall receive a refund of up to 10% of security service fees collected from passengers on flights operated by that air carrier.

DHS shall revise certain federal regulations to classify information about deputized pilots as sensitive security information.

arm pilots act bill revises requirements federal flight deck officer program department_of_homeland_security dhs shall designate additional training facilities firearms training recurrent training federal flight deck officers initial firearm training certification pilots seeking deputized federal flight deck officers dhs secretary shall require officers months carry firearms domestic flights permit officers certified private government owned gun ranges dhs require certain limitations initial recurrent training officers bill revises authority federal flight deck officers carry firearms domestic foreign flights dhs establish medical physical standards pilot federal flight deck officer inconsistent stringent federal_aviation_administration requirements issuance first- second class airman medical certificate pilot deputized federal flight deck officer inactive active status completing recurrent training program dhs shall allow officers screened transportation_security_administration known crew member program entering airport sterile area air carrier certifying dhs pilot deputized federal flight deck officer flights shall receive refund security service fees collected passengers flights operated air carrier dhs shall revise certain federal regulations classify information deputized pilots sensitive security information


Summary:
Rural Guard Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the removal, on a case by case basis, of the $300 cap on travel expense reimbursements to certain members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve who: (1) live in a rural area in the same state as the inactive duty training location; and (2) are required to travel to the inactive training location using a boat or aircraft due to limited or nonexistent vehicular routes, or from a permanent residence more than 75 miles from that location.

bill authorizes removal case case basis cap travel expense reimbursements certain members live rural area state inactive duty training location required travel inactive training location boat aircraft limited vehicular routes permanent residence miles location


Summary:
Draft America's Daughters Act of 2016

This bill amends the Military Selective Service Act to extend the registration and conscription requirements of the Selective Service System to all U.S. citizens and residents between the ages of 18 and 26. (Currently such provisions apply only to men.)

daughters act bill amends military_selective_service act extend registration requirements selective_service_system citizens residents ages currently provisions apply men


Summary: This bill extends through FY2018 (at $400 per month) the special survivor indemnity allowance for a surviving or former spouse of a deceased member of the Armed Forces whose annuity under the survivor benefit program is offset by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation received from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

bill extends fy2018 month special survivor indemnity allowance surviving spouse deceased member armed_forces annuity survivor benefit program offset dependency indemnity compensation received department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: This bill extends through FY2022 (at increasing monthly amounts for each fiscal year) the special survivor indemnity allowance for a surviving or former spouse of a deceased member of the Armed Forces whose annuity under the survivor benefit program is offset by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation received from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

bill extends fy2022 increasing monthly amounts fiscal year special survivor indemnity allowance surviving spouse deceased member armed_forces annuity survivor benefit program offset dependency indemnity compensation received department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary:
This bill repeals the Military Selective Service Act.

No person may be denied a right, privilege, benefit, or employment position under federal law on the grounds that the person failed to present himself for and submit to registration under the Military Selective Service Act before its repeal by this bill.

bill repeals military_selective_service_act person denied right privilege benefit employment position federal law grounds person failed present submit registration military_selective_service act repeal bill


Summary:
Disabled Veterans Student Loan Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the federal student loan discharge process for a veteran who has a total and permanent disability.

Specifically, it directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a system to automatically transmit, from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Department of Defense (DOD), an applicable determination of unemployability or assignment of a service-connected disability rating of 100%.

ED must accept, as sufficient documentation of a borrower's total and permanent disability, a determination of unemployability by the VA or an assignment of a service-connected disability rating of 100% by the VA or DOD that is transmitted in accordance with such system.

disabled bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify federal student loan discharge process veteran total permanent disability specifically directs establish system automatically transmit department_of_veterans_affairs department_of_defense dod applicable determination unemployability assignment service connected disability rating accept sufficient documentation borrower total permanent disability determination unemployability assignment service connected disability rating dod transmitted accordance system


Summary: This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay additional compensation in the form of two $10,000 lump-sum payments to a veteran who is paid disability compensation for: (1) the anatomical loss of one or more creative organs, or (2) the permanent or static loss of use of one or more creative organs. (Creative organs are those involved in reproduction.)

bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs pay additional compensation form lump sum payments veteran paid disability compensation loss creative organs permanent static loss use creative organs creative organs involved reproduction


Summary:
Stepping up for American Workers and Troops Act

This bill directs the the Department of Defense (DOD), in the case of athletic footwear needed by members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps upon their initial entry into the Armed Forces, to: (1) furnish such footwear directly instead of providing a cash allowance to the service members to purchase such footwear, and (2) comply with American source requirements in procuring such footwear.

A cash allowance may be provided for the purchase of footwear that is medically required to meet a service member's unique physiological needs that cannot be met with footwear furnished by DOD.

bill directs department_of_defense dod case athletic footwear needed members army navy air_force marine_corps initial entry armed_forces furnish footwear directly instead providing cash allowance service members purchase footwear comply american source requirements procuring footwear cash allowance provided purchase footwear medically required meet service member unique physiological needs met footwear furnished dod


Summary:
Prevent Retaliation and Open up Transparency to Expand Care for Troops Act of 2016 or the PROTECT Act

This bill amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to establish the offense of retaliation. Retaliation provisions require that any person subject to the code who, with the intent to retaliate against any person for reporting or planning to report a criminal offense, or with the intent to discourage any person from reporting a criminal offense, wrongfully takes or threatens to take an adverse personnel action against any person, or wrongfully withholds or threatens to withhold a favorable personnel action with respect to any person, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

The Department of Defense (DOD) shall prescribe uniform standards for conduct of each of the following functions at all stages of the military justice system, including pretrial, trial, post-trial, and appellate processes:

 collection and analysis of data concerning substantive offenses and procedural matters in a manner that facilitates case management and decision making and enhances the quality of periodic reviews; case processing and management; timely and accurate production and distribution of trial records; and facilitation of access to docket information, filings, and records. Each military department shall ensure that any individual investigating an allegation of retaliation against a person who has made a protected communication must have training in the definition and characteristics of retaliation. If the investigation involves alleged retaliation in response to a communication regarding rape, sexual assault, or other sexual misconduct, the training shall include specific instruction regarding such violations.

It is the sense of Congress that DOD should ensure that its medical and mental health providers are adequately trained to meet the needs of male survivors of military sexual trauma.

prevent retaliation open transparency expand care troops act protect act bill amends uniform code military justice establish offense retaliation retaliation provisions require person subject code intent retaliate person reporting planning report criminal offense intent discourage person reporting criminal offense wrongfully takes threatens adverse personnel action person wrongfully withholds threatens withhold favorable personnel action respect person shall punished court martial direct department_of_defense dod shall prescribe uniform standards conduct following functions stages military justice system including pretrial trial post trial appellate processes collection analysis data concerning substantive offenses procedural matters manner facilitates case management decision making enhances quality periodic reviews case processing management timely accurate production distribution trial records facilitation access docket information filings records military department shall ensure individual investigating allegation retaliation person protected communication training definition characteristics retaliation investigation involves alleged retaliation response communication rape sexual assault sexual misconduct training shall include specific instruction violations sense congress dod ensure medical mental health providers adequately trained meet needs male survivors military sexual trauma


Summary:
Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD), within one year after enactment of this bill, to identify:

 certain disability severance payments that were not considered gross income to veterans with combat-related injuries paid after January 17, 1991, from which DOD withheld amounts for tax purposes, and the individuals to whom such severance payments were made. DOD shall provide each such veteran with: (1) notice of the amount of improperly withheld severance payments, and (2) instructions for filing amended tax returns to recover such amount.

The period for filing a related claim with the Internal Revenue Service for a credit or refund is extended beyond the three-year limitation to the date that is one year after DOD provides the veteran with the information required by this bill.

(Sec. 4) DOD shall ensure that amounts are not withheld for tax purposes from DOD severance payments to individuals when such payments are not considered gross income.

(Sec. 5) DOD shall report on: (1) the number of identified individuals, (2) the aggregate amount of payments withheld for tax purposes from such severance payments, and (3) a description of how DOD shall ensure that the withheld amounts will not be considered gross income to the affected individuals.

sec bill directs department_of_defense dod year enactment bill identify certain disability severance payments considered gross income veterans combat related injuries paid january dod withheld amounts tax purposes individuals severance payments dod shall provide veteran notice improperly withheld severance payments instructions filing amended tax returns recover period filing related claim internal_revenue_service credit refund extended year limitation date year dod provides veteran information required bill sec dod shall ensure amounts withheld tax purposes dod severance payments individuals payments considered gross income sec dod shall report number identified individuals aggregate payments withheld tax purposes severance payments description dod shall ensure withheld amounts considered gross income affected individuals


Summary:
Love Lives On Act of 2016

This bill amends the definition of a veteran's "surviving spouse," for the purpose of veterans benefits provisions, to eliminate the requirement that such person: (1) has not remarried; or (2) has not, since the death of the veteran and after September 19, 1962, lived with another person and held himself or herself out to be the other person's spouse.

The effective date of an award of specified veterans benefits to a surviving spouse based upon termination of a remarriage by death or divorce occurring before the date of enactment of this bill shall be the date of death, or the date the judicial decree or divorce becomes final, if an application therefor is received within one year of the remarriage's termination.

lives act bill amends definition veteran surviving spouse purpose veterans benefits provisions eliminate requirement person remarried death veteran september lived person held person spouse effective date award specified veterans benefits surviving spouse based termination remarriage death divorce occurring date enactment bill shall date death date judicial decree divorce final application therefor received year remarriage termination