S. 2181 (ENR) – Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2024
Introduced: December 22, 2024
Sponsor: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Cosponsors: Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Committee: Senate Armed Services Committee
Status: Referred to committee
Summary:
S. 2181, the Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2024, would make changes to the Department of Defense (DoD) Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to improve support for military families with special needs dependents.
The bill would:
- Expand eligibility for EFMP to include dependents with a wider range of disabilities, including mental health conditions and developmental delays.
- Provide more flexibility for families to receive support through EFMP, including the ability to use services outside the military health system.
- Increase funding for EFMP and establish a new grant program to help families with the costs of caring for special needs dependents.
- Require the DoD to develop a plan to improve coordination of EFMP services with other federal and state programs.
- Establish a task force to study the long-term needs of military families with special needs dependents.
Background:
EFMP is a program that provides support to military families with special needs dependents. The program offers a range of services, including early intervention, respite care, and educational assistance.
However, the current EFMP program has been criticized for being too restrictive and for not providing enough support to families. S. 2181 would make significant changes to the program to address these concerns.
Support and Opposition:
S. 2181 has received widespread support from military families and organizations. The bill has also been endorsed by the National Military Family Association and the Military Officers Association of America.
There is no known opposition to the bill at this time.
Outlook:
S. 2181 is currently in committee. The bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate in the coming months. The bill has a good chance of being passed, given the bipartisan support it has received.
S. 2181 (ENR) – Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2024
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