Notice2024-17412
Request for Information for 2026 Department of Defense State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their Families; Response to Public Comments
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 7, 2024
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, DoD published a request for information in the Federal Register that provided an opportunity for the public to submit issues that have an impact on Service members and their families where state governments are the primary agents for making positive change. Each year, DoD selects State Policy Priorities for states to consider that reduce barriers resulting from the transience and uncertainty of military life. The public submissions received will be considered by DoD in setting those priorities. For example, as a result of previous feedback provided by a non-profit educational research organization, DoD has educated states on the benefits of modifying their open enrollment policies to increase access to school options for military-connected children. This follow-up notice responds to the public comments received.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64435-64436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17412]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID: DoD-2024-OS-0027]
Request for Information for 2026 Department of Defense State
Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their Families;
Response to Public Comments
AGENCY: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community
and Family Policy, Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Request for information; response to public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, DoD published a request for
information in the Federal Register that provided an opportunity for
the public to submit issues that have an impact on Service members and
their families where state governments are the primary agents for
making positive change. Each year, DoD selects State Policy Priorities
for states to consider that reduce barriers resulting from the
transience and uncertainty of military life. The public submissions
received will be considered by DoD in setting those priorities. For
example, as a result of previous feedback provided by a non-profit
educational research organization, DoD has educated states on the
benefits of modifying their open enrollment policies to increase access
to school options for military-connected children. This follow-up
notice responds to the public comments received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Geraldine Valentin-Smith, (703)
618-6907 (voice), <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2959780939e969b9c97dc84939e979c869b9c9ddf819f9b869adc919b84b29f939b9edc9f9b9e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a2d2f382b262e23242f643c2b262f243e232425673927233e226429233c0a272b232664272326">[email protected]</span></a> (email), 4800
Mark Center Drive, Suite 14E08, Alexandria, Virginia 22350 (mailing
address).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (89 FR 20954),
the DoD published a notice titled ``Request for Information for 2026
DoD State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their
Families.'' Public comments were accepted for 30 days until April 25,
2024. Twenty public comments were received. The DoD responds to the
comments as follows:
Seven comments were received which identified issues for potential
inclusion as a State Policy Priority. We appreciate your thoughtful
engagement and recommendations. We respond to the comments as follows:
<bullet> Bridging Support Systems During Permanent Change of
Station (PCS) Transitions for Vulnerable Military Families. We
recognize military families face significant disruptions in essential
state support services during PCS moves. Implementing an advance
enrollment system for state-run support programs, such as Medicaid and
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, similar to successful
models in educational settings, may affect the continuity of care and
support for military families during PCS transitions.
<bullet> Enfranchising Military-Connected Voters. We agree military
voters face significant challenges in participating in elections.
Various states have differing rules regarding absentee ballot deadlines
and procedures for curing ballot discrepancies, with no standardized
approach specifically accommodating the unique circumstances of
military voters. We commend states which have enhanced the fairness and
inclusivity of the electoral process, reinforcing the democratic values
that military personnel defend.
<bullet> Facilitating Guardianship Transfer for Military Families.
We understand that military families with guardianship responsibilities
face significant legal and bureaucratic hurdles when moving between
states due to permanent changes of station. The Uniform Adult
Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act is an approach
to enabling a more seamless transfer of guardianship for military
families between all states.
<bullet> Military Community Experience with Job Opportunity Scams.
We share concern that military spouses are particularly vulnerable to
job opportunity scams, which pose a significant threat to their
financial security and well-being. No current state law or initiative
requires specific protections or targeted initiatives to address the
unique vulnerability of military spouses to job scams. However, states
have begun addressing claim sharks who target veterans by offering
veteran and military benefit services in exchange for financial
compensation and other predatory practices.
<bullet> Military Family Agility and Children's Educational
Success. We concur that full implementation of the Interstate Compact
on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (the Compact) enhances
educational continuity and fairness for military children. The Compact
has been crucial in addressing educational challenges
[[Page 64436]]
faced by military families when relocating. All states and the District
of Columbia have adopted the Compact; however, discrepancies in
implementation across states create unequal opportunities and support
for these children.
<bullet> Paid Military Family Leave. We acknowledge the substantial
role that employed military spouses play in maintaining the home front
during activations and the reintegration period that follows. The
current legislative landscape includes several states that have taken
commendable steps toward supporting military families through paid
family leave policies. These initiatives not only alleviate financial
pressures but also contribute to the overall readiness and resilience
of our forces.
<bullet> Partial Credit During Mid-Term Transfers. We continue to
address academic disruptions faced by military children. Many sending
schools do not award partial credit for coursework completed before a
transfer, and receiving schools frequently do not accept such partial
credits, forcing students to repeat entire courses upon a PCS move.
States have begun implementing policies that require both sending and
receiving schools to recognize and accept partial credits.
The Department will evaluate the seven issues independently for
suitability, feasibility, desirability, acceptability, and
sustainability.
One comment was received which related to an existing State Policy
Priority:
<bullet> Creating a State Holiday for Month of the Military Child.
Each year, the Department joins national, state, and local governments,
schools, military serving organizations, companies, and private
citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make
during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military
children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of
their parents' service. This line of effort is part of the State Policy
Priority for Purple Star School Programs.
Additionally, four comments were received which related to issues
outside the criteria listed for consideration. The criteria include:
States are primary responsible for resolving the problem; the solution
should positively impact the quality of life of Service members and
their families; should or positively contribute to readiness; should
impact members of the military, recent veterans, and their family
members; and for quality-of-life issues, the resolution should help
eliminate a barrier caused by the dynamics of military life. We respond
to the comments as follows:
<bullet> DoD-State Liaison Office Support to the Territories. We
appreciate the comment that military members and families benefit from
the Department's engagement with state legislative and executive
branches to support military family readiness and quality of life.
Within the limits of available resources, increased engagement with the
governments of the insular areas of the United States may include
connecting with other states and territories to share best practices
and address common challenges and building relationships with key state
policymakers responsible for defense issues.
<bullet> Establishment of a DoD-Specific Portable Medicaid Waiver
for Military Children. Military children with special needs face
substantial disruptions in continuity of care due to frequent
relocations mandated by their parents' military service. While creation
of a portable Medicaid waiver for military children is not within the
purview of state government to resolve, other state policies do account
for the mobility of military families with special needs. States have
enacted improvements to existing Medicaid waivers for the provision of
Home and Community-Based Services, allowing military families to retain
their positions on waiting lists for this program despite a military-
directed move out of the state. Additionally, states have begun
modifying state education statutes to build upon existing Federal
requirements to minimize delays and reduce barriers for highly-mobile
students with special education needs.
<bullet> Inclusion of Military Spouse Attorneys in Licensing
Portability Under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act. While the
solution proposed is not within the purview of states to consider, the
Department continues to engage with state bar examiners to facilitate
military spouse admission, including the issuing of a license within 30
days with minimal documentation requirements.
<bullet> Improvements to the MyCAA Program. We appreciate feedback
submitted regarding the MyCAA program indicating the desire for
additional face-to-face options, online courses, and an expansion of
curricula beyond health careers.
Eight comments were received which were not germane to the request
for input and did not identify an issue for potential inclusion as a
State Policy Priority. We respond to the comments as follows:
<bullet> Thank you for your advocacy for our military families. It
is both valued and recognized. Thank you very much for your
contributions.
Each fiscal year, the DoD considers numerous vital state policy
issues, with the aim of selecting those that hold the most promise for
positively impacting the lives of Service members and their families.
It is within this competitive and discerning framework that we
evaluate, research, and assess all proposed state policy solutions to
resolve challenges for military families.
We are committed to a rigorous examination of these issues, among
others. Our process is designed to ensure that we advance the most
impactful and viable initiatives to support our military families
effectively.
As always, our team at the Defense-State Liaison Office, who manage
state government relations for the Office of the Secretary of Defense
on personnel and readiness issues, stand ready to fully support state
policymakers and the military community. Thank you once again for
bringing these important issues to our attention.
Dated: August 1, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2024-17412 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 7, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.