H.R. 7994 (Introduced in House) — Providing Expanded Representation FOR Military families with Special Needs Act

This Act may be cited as the “Providing Expanded Representation FOR Military families with Special Needs Act” or the “PERFORMS Act”.

Section 563(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 10 U.S.C. 1781c note) is amended—

(1)

by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

“(2) Members—The advisory panel shall consist of the following members, appointed by the Secretary of Defense:

“(A) Nine individuals from military families with special needs, with respect to which the Secretary shall ensure that—

“(i) one individual is the spouse of an enlisted member;

“(ii) one individual is the spouse of an officer in a grade below O–6;

“(iii) one individual is a junior enlisted member;

“(iv) one individual is a junior officer;

“(v) individuals reside in different geographic regions;

“(vi) one individual is a member serving at a remote installation or is a member of the family of such a member; and

“(vii) at least two individuals are members serving on active duty, each with a dependent who—

“(I) is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program; and

“(II) has an individualized education program.

“(B) One representative of the Defense Health Agency.

“(C) One representative of the Department of Defense Education Activity.

“(D) One representative of the Office of Special Needs of the Department of Defense.

“(E) One or more representatives of advocacy groups with missions relating to the Exceptional Family Member Program of the Department of Defense.

“(F) One or more adult dependents enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program of the Department of Defense.”

(2)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(5) Transparency and accessibility—The advisory panel shall—

“(A) provide advice that is relevant, objective, and transparent;

“(B) ensure that any meetings or other proceedings of the advisory panel are accessible to the public; and

“(C) make available on a publicly accessible website—

“(i) meeting announcements;

“(ii) minutes of meetings;

“(iii) the names of council representatives; and

“(iv) regular updates on the progress of the panel in fulfilling the duties specified in paragraph (3).”

Providing Expanded Representation FOR Military families with Special Needs Act