Legislative "Wins"
Posted by admin on November 13, 2009
- Authorizes 3.4 percent across-the-board pay raise (not including Retirees)
- No increases in copayments for inpatient care under TRICARE Standard
- Reserve retirees eligible for TRICARE Standard before age 60
- Authorizes special compensation for designated caregivers of servicemembers with catastrophic injuries or illnesses
- Reserve component servicemembers who served in combat zone to be retained on active duty until completion of the disability evaluation process
- Requires a medical exam before separation of members who are diagnosed as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Extends to September 2013 the option for servicemembers to carry over 75 days of leave from one fiscal year to the next
- Enacts the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act to reduce barriers to absentee voting
- Establishment of voting assistance officers on military installations
- Authorizes $30 million in supplemental educational aid, $14 million in special assistance to local educational agencies affected by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), and $5 million in impact aid for children with severe disabilities
- Extends the authority of the Secretary of Defense to provide financial assistance to local educational agencies with enrollment changes due to base closures, force structure changes, or force relocations
- Changes the requisite number of federally connected children who attend area schools daily in order for a school district to receive impact aid from 6,500 to 5,000 students
- An Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs is being added under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
- DOD Military Family Readiness Council to include one representative from the National Guard and one from the Reserve
- Establish an internship pilot program for military spouses to obtain employment with other federal agencies or departments
- Increases the maximum amount of Supplemental Subsistence Allowance from $500 to $1,100 per month
- Max of 15% of monthly compensation may be involuntarily collected to repay overpayments erroneously paid to servicemembers
- Reserve component members under delayed-effective-date active-duty orders are eligible for TRICARE coverage 180 days before active service begins
- Travel and transportation allowances for up to three designated individuals to travel with and assist seriously injured or wounded service members, including those with serious mental disorders, for the duration of their inpatient stay
- Increases the authorization for the Homeowners Assistance Program by $300 million