Sec. 574 — Modifications to pilot program to provide financial assistance to members of the Armed Forces for in-home child care

Statutory text

(a) In general. Section 589 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116‑283; 10 U.S.C. 1791 note) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and(2)by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:

(c) Direct payments

(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall provide financial assistance under the pilot program required by subsection (a) to members of the Armed Forces through monthly pay, direct deposit, or other form of direct payment to such members.

(2) Payment to eligible providers. The Secretary of Defense may provide financial assistance under the pilot program required by subsection (a) directly to an in-home child care provider with the written consent of the member of the Armed Forces receiving such financial assistance..

(b) Implementation date. The requirements of subsection (c) of section 589 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, as added by subsection (a) of this section—(1)except as provided in paragraph (2), shall apply to financial assistance under the pilot program established pursuant to such section provided on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and(2)shall not apply to financial assistance under such pilot program provided to an in-home child care provider pursuant to an agreement between the Secretary of Defense until the end of the term of such agreement if—(A)the agreement is in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and(B)the agreement provides that the Secretary will make direct payments to such provider.