The bill would keep each military department secretary responsible for service members being considered for medical separation, including decisions about fitness for duty. It would let a commander pause or withdraw a member from the disability evaluation process if required procedures were not followed. The bill would also require a full and fair hearing if a member requests one, separate from other appeal options. Commanders and higher levels of command would have 90 days to decide an appeal. The bill would require updated procedures within 90 days of enactment and a briefing to Congress by February 1, 2026. It was referred to the House Armed Services Committee.
For a service member being considered for medical separation, the bill would clarify that the military department’s chain of command retains authority during the evaluation process. A member could request a hearing on an appeal, and the commander could pause or withdraw the member from the process if procedures were not followed.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s findings state that service members should receive fair treatment and due process during medical separation, and that fitness decisions remain the responsibility of their military department.
No publicly available information.