S. 4474

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4474 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4474

To designate a senior official responsible for the management and 
oversight of all programs and activities of the Department of Defense 
related to the transition of members of the Armed Forces to civilian or 
reserve status, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Ossoff (for himself and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed 
Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To designate a senior official responsible for the management and 
oversight of all programs and activities of the Department of Defense 
related to the transition of members of the Armed Forces to civilian or 
reserve status, 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. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Servicemember Civilian Transition 
Support Act''.

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF SENIOR OFFICIAL FOR MILITARY TO CIVILIAN OR 
RESERVE TRANSITION.

(a) Designation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for 
Personnel and Readiness shall designate a senior official of 
the Department of Defense to oversee policy and programs 
related to the transition of members of the Armed Forces from 
active duty to--
(A) civilian life; or
(B) reserve components.
(2) Qualifications.--The official designated under 
paragraph (1) shall be designated from among individuals with--
(A) extensive experience with veterans services; 
and
(B) knowledge of the transition from active duty 
to--
(i) civilian life; and
(ii) reserve components.
(b) Role, Responsibility, and Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary of Defense for 
Personnel and Readiness, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Defense, shall prescribe the roles, responsibilities, and 
authorities of the official designated under subsection (a)(1).
(2) Roles, responsibilities, and authorities required.--The 
roles, responsibilities, and authorities prescribed pursuant to 
paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the transition of 
members of the Armed Forces and their families from active duty 
to civilian life and reserve components--
(A) serving as the principal advisor to the 
Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, 
and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 
Readiness on policies, operations, and programs and 
activities relating to the transition of members;
(B) assisting the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy 
Secretary of Defense, and the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Personnel and Readiness with policies, 
operations, and programs and activities relating to the 
transition of members;
(C) working, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Labor, and the 
Secretary of Education, to improve the efficiency and 
effectiveness of all activities relating to the 
transition of members;
(D) serving as the chief transition officer of the 
Department of Defense, with the mission of coordinating 
and overseeing the effectiveness of transition programs 
of the Department of Defense and ensuring all members 
of the Armed Forces are well equipped for civilian life 
or the reserve components, as the case may be;
(E) overseeing the Military-Civilian Transition 
Office and the implementation of transition programs 
across the Department of Defense;
(F) conducting a review and assessment of all 
transition programs and services offered by the 
Department of Defense, including the Transition 
Assistance Program and Skillbridge Program, and 
proposing legislative or administrative action--
(i) to improve the efficacy and efficiency 
of the programs; and
(ii) to ensure compliance with all legal 
requirements related to transition assistance; 
and
(G) working with Federal agencies, State and local 
governments, and nongovernmental organizations to 
improve the delivery of transition support services.
(c) Briefing on Designation and Implementation.--Not later than 90 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense 
committees (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) 
on--
(1) the status of the designation of the official under 
subsection (a); and
(2) the implementation of the roles, responsibilities, and 
authorities of the official under subsection (b).
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