H.R. 7745

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7745 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7745

To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the 
health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 2, 2026

Mr. Arrington (for himself, Mr. McDowell, Mrs. Luna, Mr. Rose, Mr. Van 
Epps, and Mr. Lawler) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the 
health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO WELLNESS CHECKS FOR HEALTH AND 
WELFARE OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) Wellness Checks.--
(1) Wellness checks required.--The Secretary of Defense 
shall issue such regulations, policies, and procedures as may 
be necessary to require that, whenever appropriate following a 
member of the Armed Forces sustaining any significant injury or 
illness or being on sick call, a wellness check is conducted to 
account for the health and welfare of such member.
(2) Methods of contact.--In conducting a wellness check for 
a member of the Armed Forces pursuant to paragraph (1), if the 
member does not respond to such check conducted via an 
electronic or telephone communication method, the individual 
conducting the check shall progress to an in-person method of 
contact.
(3) Result of failure to locate.--If, as a result of a 
wellness check conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) for a member 
of the Armed Forces, the individual conducting such check is 
unable to locate such member, the individual shall refer to the 
applicable regulations, policies, and procedures of the 
Department of Defense regarding the determination and reporting 
of such member as missing, absent unknown, absent without 
leave, or duty status-whereabouts unknown.
(b) Implementation by Unit Commanders.--In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each unit commander 
coordinates with the judge advocates assigned or attached to, or 
performing duty with, the unit under the command of such commander for 
assistance in the implementation of any regulation, policy, or 
procedure required under subsection (a) with respect to such unit.
(c) Additional Actions by Unit Commanders.--On a routine basis, 
each unit commander shall--
(1) review the requirements contained in the document 
titled ``Commander's Critical Information Requirements'', dated 
January 2020, or such successor document, to ensure such 
requirements--
(A) have been issued or updated during the three-
year period preceding any such review;
(B) reflect such medical issues or safety incidents 
of members of the Armed Forces that the commander deems 
sufficiently significant; and
(C) have been distributed to the unit under the 
command of such commander; and
(2) host confidential wellness meetings with subordinate 
commanders at which such commanders may discuss with one or 
more medical officers assigned to such unit any significant 
injuries or illnesses affecting members of the Armed Forces 
serving in or with such unit.
(d) Training Courses.--Each Secretary concerned, and the Secretary 
of Defense with respect to civilian personnel of the Department of 
Defense, shall develop and implement training courses to ensure each 
member of an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of that Secretary (or 
each civilian employee of the Department of Defense, respectively) is 
aware of the importance of accountability with respect to health and 
welfare and of the significant negative outcomes that may occur when 
accountability procedures fail. Such courses shall be offered at 
leadership and supervisor trainings and shall include content relating 
to the conduct of wellness checks in accordance with subsection (a) and 
other related actions.
(e) Secretary Concerned Defined.--In this section, the term 
``Secretary concerned'' has the meaning given such term in section 
101(a) of title 10, United States Code.
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