Fit to Serve Act

Summary#

This bill, titled the Fit to Serve Act, would add a new section to chapter 49 of title 10, United States Code. The new section (Sec. 975) says the Secretary concerned may not, on the basis of gender identity (including a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of gender dysphoria): set qualifications for service; involuntarily separate a service member; deny medically necessary health care coverage; require a member to serve in the sex assigned at birth; deny accession, reenlistment, or continuation of service; or otherwise discriminate against a member. The bill defines "gender identity" to mean a person’s gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics, regardless of the sex designated at birth.

What it means for you#

• If you are trying to join the military, the bill would bar denial of accession based on gender identity.
• If you are a service member, the bill would bar involuntary separation, denial of reenlistment or continuation, and other discrimination based on gender identity.
• If you are a service member needing medically necessary care, the bill would bar denial of that care on the basis of gender identity.
• The restrictions apply to actions by the "Secretary concerned," meaning the military service secretaries under title 10 provisions.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on direct federal costs or savings is included in the bill text or the provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata describes supporters' arguments or rationale.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata describes opponents' arguments or concerns.