Request for Information for 2026 Department of Defense State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their Families; Response to Public Comments, 64435-64436 [2024-17412]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices
Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
public or interested organizations may
submit written comments or statements
to the committee in response to the
stated agenda of the open meeting or in
regard to the committee’s mission in
general. Written comments or
statements should be submitted to Dr.
Green, the committee Designated
Federal Officer, via electronic mail, the
preferred mode of submission, at the
address listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section. Each page
of the comment or statement must
include the author’s name, title or
affiliation, address, and daytime phone
number. The Designated Federal Official
will review all submitted written
comments or statements and provide
them to members of the committee for
their consideration. Written comments
or statements being submitted in
response to the agenda set forth in this
notice must be received by the
Designated Federal Official at least
seven business days prior to the meeting
to be considered by the committee.
Written comments or statements
received after this date may not be
provided to the committee until its next
meeting.
Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.140d, the
Committee is not obligated to allow a
member of the public to speak or
otherwise address the Committee during
the meeting. Members of the public will
be permitted to make verbal comments
during the Committee meeting only at
the time and in the manner described
below. If a member of the public is
interested in making a verbal comment
at the open meeting, that individual
must submit a request, with a brief
statement of the subject matter to be
addressed by the comment, at least
seven business days in advance to the
committee’s Designated Federal Official,
via electronic mail, the preferred mode
of submission, at the address listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section. The Designated Federal Official
will log each request, in the order
received, and in consultation with the
committee Chair, determine whether the
subject matter of each comment is
relevant to the committee’s mission
and/or the topics to be addressed in this
public meeting. A 15-minute period
near the end of the meeting will be
available for verbal public comments.
Members of the public who have
requested to make a verbal comment
and whose comments have been
deemed relevant under the process
described above, will be allotted no
more than three minutes during the
period, and will be invited to speak in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:07 Aug 06, 2024
Jkt 262001
the order in which their requests were
received by Designated Federal Official.
James W. Satterwhite Jr.,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–17414 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3711–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID: DoD–2024–OS–0027]
Request for Information for 2026
Department of Defense State Policy
Priorities Impacting Service Members
and Their Families; Response to Public
Comments
Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Military Community and
Family Policy, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Request for information;
response to public comments.
AGENCY:
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024,
DoD published a request for information
in the Federal Register that provided an
opportunity for the public to submit
issues that have an impact on Service
members and their families where state
governments are the primary agents for
making positive change. Each year, DoD
selects State Policy Priorities for states
to consider that reduce barriers resulting
from the transience and uncertainty of
military life. The public submissions
received will be considered by DoD in
setting those priorities. For example, as
a result of previous feedback provided
by a non-profit educational research
organization, DoD has educated states
on the benefits of modifying their open
enrollment policies to increase access to
school options for military-connected
children. This follow-up notice
responds to the public comments
received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Geraldine Valentin-Smith, (703) 618–
6907 (voice), geraldine.valentinosmith.civ@mail.mil (email), 4800 Mark
Center Drive, Suite 14E08, Alexandria,
Virginia 22350 (mailing address).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (89 FR 20954),
the DoD published a notice titled
‘‘Request for Information for 2026 DoD
State Policy Priorities Impacting Service
Members and Their Families.’’ Public
comments were accepted for 30 days
until April 25, 2024. Twenty public
comments were received. The DoD
responds to the comments as follows:
Seven comments were received which
identified issues for potential inclusion
as a State Policy Priority. We appreciate
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
64435
your thoughtful engagement and
recommendations. We respond to the
comments as follows:
• Bridging Support Systems During
Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
Transitions for Vulnerable Military
Families. We recognize military families
face significant disruptions in essential
state support services during PCS
moves. Implementing an advance
enrollment system for state-run support
programs, such as Medicaid and the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program, similar to successful models in
educational settings, may affect the
continuity of care and support for
military families during PCS transitions.
• Enfranchising Military-Connected
Voters. We agree military voters face
significant challenges in participating in
elections. Various states have differing
rules regarding absentee ballot
deadlines and procedures for curing
ballot discrepancies, with no
standardized approach specifically
accommodating the unique
circumstances of military voters. We
commend states which have enhanced
the fairness and inclusivity of the
electoral process, reinforcing the
democratic values that military
personnel defend.
• Facilitating Guardianship Transfer
for Military Families. We understand
that military families with guardianship
responsibilities face significant legal
and bureaucratic hurdles when moving
between states due to permanent
changes of station. The Uniform Adult
Guardianship and Protective
Proceedings Jurisdiction Act is an
approach to enabling a more seamless
transfer of guardianship for military
families between all states.
• Military Community Experience
with Job Opportunity Scams. We share
concern that military spouses are
particularly vulnerable to job
opportunity scams, which pose a
significant threat to their financial
security and well-being. No current state
law or initiative requires specific
protections or targeted initiatives to
address the unique vulnerability of
military spouses to job scams. However,
states have begun addressing claim
sharks who target veterans by offering
veteran and military benefit services in
exchange for financial compensation
and other predatory practices.
• Military Family Agility and
Children’s Educational Success. We
concur that full implementation of the
Interstate Compact on Educational
Opportunity for Military Children (the
Compact) enhances educational
continuity and fairness for military
children. The Compact has been crucial
in addressing educational challenges
E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM
07AUN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
64436
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices
faced by military families when
relocating. All states and the District of
Columbia have adopted the Compact;
however, discrepancies in
implementation across states create
unequal opportunities and support for
these children.
• Paid Military Family Leave. We
acknowledge the substantial role that
employed military spouses play in
maintaining the home front during
activations and the reintegration period
that follows. The current legislative
landscape includes several states that
have taken commendable steps toward
supporting military families through
paid family leave policies. These
initiatives not only alleviate financial
pressures but also contribute to the
overall readiness and resilience of our
forces.
• Partial Credit During Mid-Term
Transfers. We continue to address
academic disruptions faced by military
children. Many sending schools do not
award partial credit for coursework
completed before a transfer, and
receiving schools frequently do not
accept such partial credits, forcing
students to repeat entire courses upon a
PCS move. States have begun
implementing policies that require both
sending and receiving schools to
recognize and accept partial credits.
The Department will evaluate the
seven issues independently for
suitability, feasibility, desirability,
acceptability, and sustainability.
One comment was received which
related to an existing State Policy
Priority:
• Creating a State Holiday for Month
of the Military Child. Each year, the
Department joins national, state, and
local governments, schools, military
serving organizations, companies, and
private citizens in celebrating military
children and the sacrifices they make
during the month of April. There are
more than 1.6 million military children
who face many challenges and unique
experiences as a result of their parents’
service. This line of effort is part of the
State Policy Priority for Purple Star
School Programs.
Additionally, four comments were
received which related to issues outside
the criteria listed for consideration. The
criteria include: States are primary
responsible for resolving the problem;
the solution should positively impact
the quality of life of Service members
and their families; should or positively
contribute to readiness; should impact
members of the military, recent
veterans, and their family members; and
for quality-of-life issues, the resolution
should help eliminate a barrier caused
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:07 Aug 06, 2024
Jkt 262001
by the dynamics of military life. We
respond to the comments as follows:
• DoD-State Liaison Office Support to
the Territories. We appreciate the
comment that military members and
families benefit from the Department’s
engagement with state legislative and
executive branches to support military
family readiness and quality of life.
Within the limits of available resources,
increased engagement with the
governments of the insular areas of the
United States may include connecting
with other states and territories to share
best practices and address common
challenges and building relationships
with key state policymakers responsible
for defense issues.
• Establishment of a DoD-Specific
Portable Medicaid Waiver for Military
Children. Military children with special
needs face substantial disruptions in
continuity of care due to frequent
relocations mandated by their parents’
military service. While creation of a
portable Medicaid waiver for military
children is not within the purview of
state government to resolve, other state
policies do account for the mobility of
military families with special needs.
States have enacted improvements to
existing Medicaid waivers for the
provision of Home and CommunityBased Services, allowing military
families to retain their positions on
waiting lists for this program despite a
military-directed move out of the state.
Additionally, states have begun
modifying state education statutes to
build upon existing Federal
requirements to minimize delays and
reduce barriers for highly-mobile
students with special education needs.
• Inclusion of Military Spouse
Attorneys in Licensing Portability Under
the Servicemember Civil Relief Act.
While the solution proposed is not
within the purview of states to consider,
the Department continues to engage
with state bar examiners to facilitate
military spouse admission, including
the issuing of a license within 30 days
with minimal documentation
requirements.
• Improvements to the MyCAA
Program. We appreciate feedback
submitted regarding the MyCAA
program indicating the desire for
additional face-to-face options, online
courses, and an expansion of curricula
beyond health careers.
Eight comments were received which
were not germane to the request for
input and did not identify an issue for
potential inclusion as a State Policy
Priority. We respond to the comments as
follows:
• Thank you for your advocacy for
our military families. It is both valued
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
and recognized. Thank you very much
for your contributions.
Each fiscal year, the DoD considers
numerous vital state policy issues, with
the aim of selecting those that hold the
most promise for positively impacting
the lives of Service members and their
families. It is within this competitive
and discerning framework that we
evaluate, research, and assess all
proposed state policy solutions to
resolve challenges for military families.
We are committed to a rigorous
examination of these issues, among
others. Our process is designed to
ensure that we advance the most
impactful and viable initiatives to
support our military families effectively.
As always, our team at the DefenseState Liaison Office, who manage state
government relations for the Office of
the Secretary of Defense on personnel
and readiness issues, stand ready to
fully support state policymakers and the
military community. Thank you once
again for bringing these important issues
to our attention.
Dated: August 1, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2024–17412 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001–FR–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 8615–049]
Fiske Hydro, Inc.; Notice of Application
for Surrender of License Accepted for
Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions
To Intervene, and Protests
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed
with the Commission and is available
for public inspection:
a. Application Type: Surrender of
License.
b. Project No: P–8615–049.
c. Date Filed: September 20, 2023.
d. Applicant: Fiske Hydro, Inc.
e. Name of Project: Fiske Mill
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The project is located on
the Ashuelot River, in the town of
Hinsdale, Cheshire County, New
Hampshire.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a—825r.
h. Applicant Contact: Cameron
MacLeod, 47 Warwick Road, Orange,
MA 01364, microhydro@comcast.net,
(610) 310–5539.
E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM
07AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64435-64436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17412]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID: DoD-2024-OS-0027]
Request for Information for 2026 Department of Defense State
Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their Families;
Response to Public Comments
AGENCY: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community
and Family Policy, Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Request for information; response to public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, DoD published a request for
information in the Federal Register that provided an opportunity for
the public to submit issues that have an impact on Service members and
their families where state governments are the primary agents for
making positive change. Each year, DoD selects State Policy Priorities
for states to consider that reduce barriers resulting from the
transience and uncertainty of military life. The public submissions
received will be considered by DoD in setting those priorities. For
example, as a result of previous feedback provided by a non-profit
educational research organization, DoD has educated states on the
benefits of modifying their open enrollment policies to increase access
to school options for military-connected children. This follow-up
notice responds to the public comments received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Geraldine Valentin-Smith, (703)
618-6907 (voice), [email protected] (email), 4800
Mark Center Drive, Suite 14E08, Alexandria, Virginia 22350 (mailing
address).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (89 FR 20954),
the DoD published a notice titled ``Request for Information for 2026
DoD State Policy Priorities Impacting Service Members and Their
Families.'' Public comments were accepted for 30 days until April 25,
2024. Twenty public comments were received. The DoD responds to the
comments as follows:
Seven comments were received which identified issues for potential
inclusion as a State Policy Priority. We appreciate your thoughtful
engagement and recommendations. We respond to the comments as follows:
Bridging Support Systems During Permanent Change of
Station (PCS) Transitions for Vulnerable Military Families. We
recognize military families face significant disruptions in essential
state support services during PCS moves. Implementing an advance
enrollment system for state-run support programs, such as Medicaid and
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, similar to successful
models in educational settings, may affect the continuity of care and
support for military families during PCS transitions.
Enfranchising Military-Connected Voters. We agree military
voters face significant challenges in participating in elections.
Various states have differing rules regarding absentee ballot deadlines
and procedures for curing ballot discrepancies, with no standardized
approach specifically accommodating the unique circumstances of
military voters. We commend states which have enhanced the fairness and
inclusivity of the electoral process, reinforcing the democratic values
that military personnel defend.
Facilitating Guardianship Transfer for Military Families.
We understand that military families with guardianship responsibilities
face significant legal and bureaucratic hurdles when moving between
states due to permanent changes of station. The Uniform Adult
Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act is an approach
to enabling a more seamless transfer of guardianship for military
families between all states.
Military Community Experience with Job Opportunity Scams.
We share concern that military spouses are particularly vulnerable to
job opportunity scams, which pose a significant threat to their
financial security and well-being. No current state law or initiative
requires specific protections or targeted initiatives to address the
unique vulnerability of military spouses to job scams. However, states
have begun addressing claim sharks who target veterans by offering
veteran and military benefit services in exchange for financial
compensation and other predatory practices.
Military Family Agility and Children's Educational
Success. We concur that full implementation of the Interstate Compact
on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (the Compact) enhances
educational continuity and fairness for military children. The Compact
has been crucial in addressing educational challenges
[[Page 64436]]
faced by military families when relocating. All states and the District
of Columbia have adopted the Compact; however, discrepancies in
implementation across states create unequal opportunities and support
for these children.
Paid Military Family Leave. We acknowledge the substantial
role that employed military spouses play in maintaining the home front
during activations and the reintegration period that follows. The
current legislative landscape includes several states that have taken
commendable steps toward supporting military families through paid
family leave policies. These initiatives not only alleviate financial
pressures but also contribute to the overall readiness and resilience
of our forces.
Partial Credit During Mid-Term Transfers. We continue to
address academic disruptions faced by military children. Many sending
schools do not award partial credit for coursework completed before a
transfer, and receiving schools frequently do not accept such partial
credits, forcing students to repeat entire courses upon a PCS move.
States have begun implementing policies that require both sending and
receiving schools to recognize and accept partial credits.
The Department will evaluate the seven issues independently for
suitability, feasibility, desirability, acceptability, and
sustainability.
One comment was received which related to an existing State Policy
Priority:
Creating a State Holiday for Month of the Military Child.
Each year, the Department joins national, state, and local governments,
schools, military serving organizations, companies, and private
citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make
during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military
children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of
their parents' service. This line of effort is part of the State Policy
Priority for Purple Star School Programs.
Additionally, four comments were received which related to issues
outside the criteria listed for consideration. The criteria include:
States are primary responsible for resolving the problem; the solution
should positively impact the quality of life of Service members and
their families; should or positively contribute to readiness; should
impact members of the military, recent veterans, and their family
members; and for quality-of-life issues, the resolution should help
eliminate a barrier caused by the dynamics of military life. We respond
to the comments as follows:
DoD-State Liaison Office Support to the Territories. We
appreciate the comment that military members and families benefit from
the Department's engagement with state legislative and executive
branches to support military family readiness and quality of life.
Within the limits of available resources, increased engagement with the
governments of the insular areas of the United States may include
connecting with other states and territories to share best practices
and address common challenges and building relationships with key state
policymakers responsible for defense issues.
Establishment of a DoD-Specific Portable Medicaid Waiver
for Military Children. Military children with special needs face
substantial disruptions in continuity of care due to frequent
relocations mandated by their parents' military service. While creation
of a portable Medicaid waiver for military children is not within the
purview of state government to resolve, other state policies do account
for the mobility of military families with special needs. States have
enacted improvements to existing Medicaid waivers for the provision of
Home and Community-Based Services, allowing military families to retain
their positions on waiting lists for this program despite a military-
directed move out of the state. Additionally, states have begun
modifying state education statutes to build upon existing Federal
requirements to minimize delays and reduce barriers for highly-mobile
students with special education needs.
Inclusion of Military Spouse Attorneys in Licensing
Portability Under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act. While the
solution proposed is not within the purview of states to consider, the
Department continues to engage with state bar examiners to facilitate
military spouse admission, including the issuing of a license within 30
days with minimal documentation requirements.
Improvements to the MyCAA Program. We appreciate feedback
submitted regarding the MyCAA program indicating the desire for
additional face-to-face options, online courses, and an expansion of
curricula beyond health careers.
Eight comments were received which were not germane to the request
for input and did not identify an issue for potential inclusion as a
State Policy Priority. We respond to the comments as follows:
Thank you for your advocacy for our military families. It
is both valued and recognized. Thank you very much for your
contributions.
Each fiscal year, the DoD considers numerous vital state policy
issues, with the aim of selecting those that hold the most promise for
positively impacting the lives of Service members and their families.
It is within this competitive and discerning framework that we
evaluate, research, and assess all proposed state policy solutions to
resolve challenges for military families.
We are committed to a rigorous examination of these issues, among
others. Our process is designed to ensure that we advance the most
impactful and viable initiatives to support our military families
effectively.
As always, our team at the Defense-State Liaison Office, who manage
state government relations for the Office of the Secretary of Defense
on personnel and readiness issues, stand ready to fully support state
policymakers and the military community. Thank you once again for
bringing these important issues to our attention.
Dated: August 1, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2024-17412 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
