Notice2025-20769
Request for Information for 2027 Department of Defense (DoD) State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their Families
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Published
November 24, 2025
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
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 represent barriers resulting from the transience and uncertainty of military life. For example, DoD has asked states to consider remedies to improve school transitions for children in active duty military families to overcome problems with records transfer, class and course placement, qualifying for extra-curricular activities, and fulfilling graduation requirements. The DoD will consider the public submissions in setting those priorities.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52921-52925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20769]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID: DoD-2025-OS-0020]
Request for Information for 2027 Department of Defense (DoD)
State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their Families
AGENCY: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community
and Family Policy, Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Request for information; response to public comments.
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SUMMARY: 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
represent barriers resulting from the transience and uncertainty of
military life. For example, DoD has asked states to consider remedies
to improve school transitions for children in active duty military
families to overcome problems with records transfer, class and course
placement, qualifying for extra-curricular activities, and fulfilling
graduation requirements. The DoD will consider the public submissions
in setting those priorities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Christopher R. Arnold, (571) 309-
4712 (voice),
[[Page 52922]]
christopher.r.arnold18.civ@<a href="http://mail.mil">mail.mil</a> (email), 1500 Defense Pentagon,
Room 1C514/1C549, Washington, DC 20301-1500 (mailing address).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (90 FR 25593), the
DoD published a notice titled ``Request for Information for 2027
Department of Defense (DoD) State Policy Priorities Impacting Service
Members and Their Families.'' Public comments were accepted for 30-days
until July 17, 2025. Fifty-eight public comments were received. The DoD
responds to the comments as follows: Thank you for your submission to
the docket of DoD-2025-OS-0020-0001, Request for Information for 2027
Department of Defense State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members
and Their Families.
Eleven comments provided potential future DoD State Policy
Priorities for further evaluation. We respond as follows:
<bullet> Military Spouse Teacher Retirement Portability. The DoD
acknowledges two comments regarding the financial challenges military
spouse educators (and other professionals) face with non-portable state
retirement systems and appreciates suggestions for improving pension
flexibility.
<bullet> Military Dependent Adult Guardianship in Four Remaining
States. The DoD acknowledges the challenges military families face with
guardianship portability during PCS moves and supports efforts to
streamline interstate recognition processes for the states that have
yet to enact supportive policies.
<bullet> Military Family Rent Control and Enhanced Interest Rate
Protections. The DoD acknowledges military family housing affordability
challenges and appreciates state efforts to enhance financial
protections beyond Federal requirements.
<bullet> Ensuring Seamless Healthcare for Military Families Across
States. The DoD acknowledges the healthcare transition challenges faced
by military families during PCS moves and supports state efforts to
improve provider access and care continuity.
<bullet> Lack of Consistent, State-Level Data Access Tools for
Military Families Navigating Health and Education Systems. The DoD
recognizes the importance of accessible, centralized information
systems for military families and appreciates innovative approaches to
improving cross-sector resource coordination.
<bullet> State-Level Oversight of Military Household Goods
Transportation Quality Standards. The DoD acknowledges concerns about
household goods moving services and appreciates suggestions for
enhanced consumer protection and oversight mechanisms.
<bullet> Continuum of Alternatives to Prosecution and Incarceration
for Justice-Involved Service Members and Veterans. The DoD recognizes
challenges justice-involved service members face and appreciates
comprehensive approaches to veteran-specific diversion programs and
sentencing considerations that honor military service, ensuring these
programs prioritize public safety and incorporate robust protectons
against domestic abuse, sexual assault, and violence for both veterans
and their familiy members.
<bullet> Traumatic Brain Injury Death Certificate Amendment for
Military-Related Causation. The DoD recognizes the significant impact
of traumatic brain injuries on service members and veterans and
appreciates suggestions for supporting affected families through state-
level policy measures.
<bullet> State Framework for the Military Quality of Life
Experience. The DoD recognizes the importance of whole-of-government
approaches to military family well-being and appreciates input on
replicable executive order frameworks that enhance Federal-State
coordination.
<bullet> Streamlined WIC Access and BAH Income Exclusion for
Military Families. The DoD recognizes challenges military families face
accessing WIC benefits during relocations and appreciates
recommendations for improving verification processes and income
eligibility determinations.
The majority of comments discussed issues that have already been
addressed as DoD State Policy Priorities. We respond as follows:
<bullet> Military Spouse Attorney Supervision Requirements. The DoD
acknowledges concerns about state bar supervision requirements for
military spouse attorneys, supports SCRA-compliant licensing practices,
and designated Enhanced Spouse License Portability as a DoD State
Policy Priority in 2020.
<bullet> Paid Family Leave for Military Spouse Employment During
Deployments. The DoD acknowledges the employment challenges military
spouses face during deployments and has designated Military Exigency
Clause in State Family Leave Laws as a DoD State Policy Priority
beginning in 2026.
<bullet> Military Family School Choice Access and Educational
Support Services. The DoD acknowledges educational access challenges
for military families, supports state efforts to provide flexible
enrollment and comprehensive educational services, and designated Open
Enrollment Flexibility as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2022. The DoD
has recently designated State Solutions for Military Homeschoolers and
Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements as DoD
State Policy Priorities beginning in 2026.
<bullet> Addressing Military Family Childcare Gaps and Fee
Assistance Burdens. The DoD acknowledges the critical challenges faced
by military families in childcare and designated Access to Quality
Child Care as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2023.
<bullet> Boosting Military Spouse Employment through Protected
Class Status and Preferential Hiring. The Department acknowledges
military spouse employment challenges due to frequent relocations and
designated Legal Protections for Military Families as a DoD State
Policy Priority in 2023 and Military Spouse Hiring Preference in 2024.
<bullet> Modernizing MCCYN Eligibility to Include State-Recognized
Providers Beyond Traditional Licensure. The DoD acknowledges childcare
access challenges for military families and designated Access to
Quality Child Care as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2023.
<bullet> Limitations on Out-of-District Enrollment for Military
Families Stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The DoD
acknowledges challenges military families face with geographic
restrictions on quality school access and designated Open Enrollment
Flexibility as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2022.
<bullet> Military Spouse Educator Employment and Family School
Placement Restrictions. The DoD acknowledges challenges military spouse
educators face with certification reciprocity and family school
placement restrictions across state and district boundaries and
designated Military Spouse Teacher Certification as a DoD State Policy
Priority in 2017 and Open Enrollment Flexibility DoD in 2022.
<bullet> Advancing National Standards for Purple Star Schools. The
DoD recognizes the value of State-sponsored recognition programs for
military family-friendly schools in supporting military-connected
students, and designated the Purple Star Schools Program as a DoD State
Policy Priority in 2021 and has recently designated Education Policy
Implementation and Information Enhancements as a DoD State Policy
Priority beginning in 2026.
<bullet> In-State Tuition Access for Military Dependents. The DoD
acknowledges the financial challenges military families
[[Page 52923]]
face with higher education costs due to frequent relocations and
designated In-State Tuition Continuity as a DoD State Policy Priority
in 2019.
<bullet> Non-Transferable High School Graduation Requirements. The
DoD acknowledges challenges military-connected students face with
varying State graduation requirements and has recently designated
Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements as a DoD
State Policy Priority beginning in 2026.
<bullet> Employment Barriers for Military Spouses. The DoD
recognizes employment challenges military spouses face due to frequent
relocations and designated Interstate Licensing Compacts as a DoD State
Priority in 2017 and designated Military Spouse Hiring Preference and
Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities as DoD State
Policy Priorities in 2024.
<bullet> Special Needs Provider Shortages and Military Experience
Recognition for State Licensing. The DoD recognizes challenges military
families face accessing specialized healthcare providers and service
members face translating military experience into civilian credentials,
and designated Service Member Licensure and Credit as a DoD State
Policy Priority in 2011 and State Support for Military Families with
Special Education Needs as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2024.
<bullet> Enhancing Access to Mental Health, Emotional,
Developmental, and Behavioral Care and Special Education Services for
Military Children Through State-Level Policy Reforms. The DoD
recognizes challenges military children face accessing mental health
care and special education services during relocations, and designated
Interstate Licensing Compacts as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2017
and State Support for Children with Special Education Needs in 2024.
<bullet> Advancing National Priorities That Support the Academic,
Social, and Emotional Well-Being of Highly Mobile Military-Connected
Students in K-12 Settings. The DoD recognizes the importance of
systematically identifying and supporting military-connected students
and designated Advance Enrollment as a DoD State Policy Priority in
2019, the Purple Star Schools Program in 2021, and Open Enrollment
Flexibility in 2022. The DoD has recently designated Education Policy
Implementation and Information Enhancements as a DoD State Policy
Priority beginning in 2026.
<bullet> Enhancing Employment and Licensure Portability for
Military Spouses in Colorado. The DoD appreciates Colorado-specific
recommendations that align with successful approaches in other states
to license reciprocity and designated Enhanced Spouse License
Portability as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2020.
<bullet> Lack of Medicaid Waiver Portability for Military-Connected
Children with Disabilities. The DoD recognizes the critical importance
of continuous medical care for military children with disabilities
across State lines and designated Retention of Medicaid Waiver Status
as a DoD State Policy Priority in 2013.
<bullet> Inconsistent Access to Special Education Services Due to
State Individualized Education Program Transfer Policies. The DoD
acknowledges challenges military-connected children with disabilities
face with inconsistent special education service delivery and
designated State Support for Children with Special Education Needs as a
DoD State Policy Priority in 2024.
<bullet> Operationalize Advance Enrollment. The DoD acknowledges
the importance of clear advance enrollment procedures for military
children and has recently designated Education Policy Implementation
and Information Enhancements as a DoD State Policy Priority beginning
in 2026.
<bullet> Military Homeschool Requirement Discrepancy and Continuity
Incongruity. The DoD acknowledges educational continuity challenges
military homeschool families face during relocations and has recently
designated State Solutions for Military Homeschoolers as a DoD State
Policy Priority beginning in 2026.
One comment described a problem for which a State-based solution
does not currently exist. We respond as follows:
<bullet> Interstate Compact for Health Record Recognition After
PCS. The DoD acknowledges the challenges of health record documentation
for military children during PCS moves.
Some comments articulated gaps in Federal-State coordination within
the portfolio of other federal agencies. The DoD has forwarded these
concerns as appropriate through official channels. We respond as
follows:
<bullet> Reserve and Guard Military Student Identifier Compliance.
The DoD acknowledges the need for updated Federal regulations to ensure
State education department compliance with the Military Student
Identifier for all children of Reserve and Guard personnel.
<bullet> Permitting States to Offer Remote or Virtual Advance
Enrollment to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women and
Children Applicants. The DoD recognizes the challenges military
families face in maintaining WIC benefits during PCS movesdue to
Federal restrictions prohibiting State advance enrollment processes.
Several comments articulated an issue primarily within the purview
of states to resolve. Still, they lacked the required elements, such as
a detailed problem statement, specific examples of state policy
solutions, or the current status of the issue. We respond as follows:
<bullet> Military Base Housing Mold Contamination and Private
Company Accountability. The DoD acknowledges serious health concerns
related to base housing conditions and appreciates input on improving
accountability and oversight mechanisms.
<bullet> Military Family Support Issues (School Choice, Discounts,
Licensing, Childcare, Parental Leave). The DoD acknowledges the range
of support needs for military families and appreciates suggestions for
comprehensive State-level assistance programs, particularly as they
intersect with the DoD State Policy Priorities regarding Enhanced
Spouse License Portability, Military Exigency in State Family Leave
Laws, and Open Enrollment Flexibility.
<bullet> National Guard/Reserve Family Support and Childcare During
Drills. The DoD acknowledges unique challenges faced by National Guard
and Reserve families and appreciates suggestions for enhanced State-
level support services.
<bullet> Military Divorce and Systemic State-Level Challenges. The
DoD acknowledges the complex legal challenges military families face
during divorce proceedings and appreciates input on improving State-
level protections and legal sysem consistency.
<bullet> NAFCC Accreditation Funding for Military Family Childcare
Providers. The DoD acknowledges the importance of maintaining quality
standards in military family childcare and appreciates input on
accreditation funding approaches.
Several comments were not germane as they appeared to fall outside
State-level policy considerations, or discussed issues that were
entirely within Federal jurisdiction and not State-administered. We
respond as follows:
<bullet> EFMP Family Support and Case Management. The DoD
acknowledges concerns about EFMP support services and appreciates
feedback on program administration and family communication needs.
<bullet> TRICARE Eligibility for Federal Employee Reservists and
Military Spouse Student Loan Relief. The DoD acknowledges concerns
about TRICARE
[[Page 52924]]
eligibility gaps for Federal employee reservists and military spouse
student debt burdens.
<bullet> TRICARE Regional Billing Confusion During PCS Moves. The
DoD acknowledges billing coordination challenges between TRICARE
regions during PCS moves and appreciates feedback on program
administration.
<bullet> TRICARE Prime Provider Network Reimbursement Issues. The
DoD acknowledges concerns about TRICARE provider network adequacy and
reimbursement processing affecting military family healthcare access.
<bullet> Family Status Priority for Military Shift Scheduling. The
DoD acknowledges the challenges military families face balancing duty
schedules with family obligations and appreciates feedback on personnel
scheduling considerations.
<bullet> Financial Burden of Military PCS Moves on Large Families.
The DoD acknowledges financial challenges large military families face
during PCS moves and appreciates suggestions for State-level financial
assistance programs.
<bullet> Employment Barriers for Military Spouses at Overseas
Assignments. The DoD acknowledges employment challenges military
spouses face at overseas assignments and appreciates feedback on base
employment opportunities and policies.
<bullet> Shipping Two Cars for OCOUS PCS Moves. The DoD
acknowledges financial challenges military families face with vehicle
transportation during OCONUS assignments and appreciates feedback on
PCS entitlement policies.
<bullet> Federal Employment Protections for Military Spouse Federal
Employees. The DoD acknowledges employment challenges military spouse
Federal employees face with agency transfers and telework policies
during PCS moves.
<bullet> Multiple Federal Policy Issues (TRICARE Coverage, Base
Housing, Federal Spouse Remote Work). The DoD acknowledges concerns
about healthcare benefits, housing quality, and Federal employment
policies affecting military families and appreciates feedback on these
Federal programs.
<bullet> Addiction in the Military. The DoD acknowledges challenges
service members face accessing addiction treatment and appreciates
feedback on military healthcare policies and benefit accessibility.
<bullet> Employment Discrimination Against Military Spouses/Veteran
Spouses within Federal Hiring Practices. The DoD acknowledges concerns
about employment discrimination against military spouses and
appreciates recommendations for enhanced protections and accountability
measures across Federal and State hiring practices.
<bullet> Military Justice System Procedures. The DoD acknowledges
input about military justice procedures and appreciates all feedback on
service member welfare matters.
<bullet> Chase's Bill. The DoD acknowledges the importance of
accessible mental health and rehabilitation services for service
members and appreciates input on policy barriers to care access.
<bullet> Military Healthcare Transition Planning and Community
Healthcare Capacity. The Department acknowledges concerns about
community healthcare capacity during military treatment facility
transitions and appreciates input on coordinated planning approaches
with state and local partners.
Some comments advocated for funding or partnerships with specific
organizations rather than proposing legislative/regulatory changes. We
respond as follows:
<bullet> Expanding the Cybersecurity Workforce Through Military
Spouse Credentialing and Career Mobility. The DoD recognizes the
importance of military spouse employment in cybersecurity and IT fields
and appreciates new approaches to workforce development and credential
portability.
<bullet> Assisting Military Families in Adoption Across State
Lines. The DoD acknowledges the importance of supporting military
families in child welfare matters and appreciates input on service
delivery approaches.
One comment lacked coherence. We respond as follows:
<bullet> Law Enforcement Argot. Thank you for your input.
Your submission of ideas and advocacy for our military families is
both recognized and valued. 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 best practices.
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.
For the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2026, the Office of the
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness recently
announced the Department's 2026 State Policy Priorities:
<bullet> Education Policy Implementation and Information
Enhancements (Approved 2025): States have a valuable opportunity to
facilitate improved local implementation of policies designed to
support military-connected children and ensure families are empowered
with the knowledge they need by clarifying requirements, enhancing
communication efforts, and streamlining access to information on state
and local education websites.
<bullet> Military Exigency Clause in Family Leave Laws (Approved
2025): States can ensure family leave laws include provisions for
military-specific needs like deployments, training, and transitions.
This enables readiness by reducing family stress during critical
mission periods.
<bullet> State Solutions for Military Homeschoolers (Approved
2025): Military families homeschool their children at nearly twice the
rate of civilian families and face unique challenges associated with
military life. State policies that streamline homeschool requirements,
expand access to educational resources such as extracurricular
activities and sports, and clarify participation requirements for
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) can contribute to
greater stability for military families, which supports retention
efforts.
<bullet> Military Spouse Employment Preference (Approved 2024):
Military spouses in the civilian work force have a 20% unemployment
rate, which adversely impacts military family economic security. States
can assist in bolstering military families by enacting state laws that
permit state and local governments and private industry to offer hiring
and procurement preferences for military spouses, recognizing the need
to combat military spouse unemployment rates and supporting the
financial well-being of military families.
<bullet> State Support of Military Families with Special
Educational Needs (Approved 2024): Highly mobile children, including
military children, are more likely to experience recurring educational
disruptions and challenges accessing special education services,
particularly those who need access to special education and related
services. States can assist military families by ensuring timely
establishment of services upon relocation and reducing procedural
burdens.
<bullet> State Exemption for DoD Family Child Care Homes (Approved
2023): In many cases, in-home child care providers who live off a
military
[[Page 52925]]
installation must be licensed by both the State and the DoD, even when
only caring for eligible DoD-affiliated children. By exempting in-home
child care providers certified by the DoD from State licensure
requirements, States can improve access to family child care for
military families.
<bullet> State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence
(Approved 2023): Interpersonal violence is a pattern of harmful
behavior in which one person uses various forms of abuse to assert
power and control over another. States can further protect victims of
interpersonal violence by enhancing statutes that increase
accessibility to civilian protection orders for victims and mandating
reciprocal information sharing between military and civilian law
enforcement authorities.
<bullet> Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction (Approved 2022): Military
installations subject to exclusive Federal jurisdiction often handle
juvenile offenses through the Federal system, which has no established
juvenile justice system. Adopting policies that facilitate concurrent
jurisdiction between the State and military installation opens the door
to the State juvenile justice system and resources, offering improved
opportunities for rehabilitation tailored to address juveniles.
<bullet> Open Enrollment Flexibility (Approved 2022): Military
families can be disadvantaged in school enrollment options for their
children due to military-directed moves. States can assist by
increasing military-connected students' access to schooling options,
allowing them to remain in their current school placement despite a
relocation from temporary to permanent housing, and including them
within existing enrollment prioritization systems.
<bullet> Military Community Representation on State Defense
Councils (Approved 2017): The unique needs of military families may go
unheard without representation on State-level advisory bodies focused
on the defense community. States can establish statewide military
defense-focused councils that consider military family readiness and
dedicate one or more seats to members of the military community.
<bullet> Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts (Approved
2017): 35% of military spouses require an occupational license to work
in their chosen profession. Licensure compacts create seamless
licensure portability for all members of a profession, including
military spouses and service members. By adopting licensure compacts,
states can improve military family financial readiness.
These issues, along with other emeritus State Policy Priorities,
will be presented to State governments for their consideration even as
these submissions to the Federal Register for 2027 are considered. For
more information, please visit <a href="http://www.statepolicy.militaryonesource.mil">www.statepolicy.militaryonesource.mil</a>.
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 support state
policymakers and the military community fully. Thank you once again for
bringing these important issues to our attention.
Dated: November 20, 2025.
Stephanie J. Bost,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2025-20769 Filed 11-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
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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.