Employment opportunities for military spouses
Authority.—
The President shall order such measures as the President considers necessary to increase employment opportunities for spouses of members of the armed forces. Such measures may include—
excepting, pursuant to section 3302 of title 5, from the competitive service positions in the Department of Defense located outside of the United States to provide employment opportunities for qualified spouses of members of the armed forces in the same geographical area as the permanent duty station of the members; and
providing preference in hiring for positions in nonappropriated fund activities to qualified spouses of members of the armed forces stationed in the same geographical area as the nonappropriated fund activity for positions in wage grade UA–8 and below and equivalent positions and for positions paid at hourly rates.
Regulations.—
The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations—
to implement such measures as the President orders under subsection (a);
to provide preference to qualified spouses of members of the armed forces in hiring for any civilian position in the Department of Defense if the spouse is among persons determined to be best qualified for the position and if the position is located in the same geographical area as the permanent duty station of the member;
to ensure that notice of any vacant position in the Department of Defense is provided in a manner reasonably designed to reach spouses of members of the armed forces whose permanent duty stations are in the same geographic area as the area in which the position is located; and
to ensure that the spouse of a member of the armed forces who applies for a vacant position in the Department of Defense shall, to the extent practicable, be considered for any such position located in the same geographic area as the permanent duty station of the member.
Status of Preference Eligibles.—
Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide a spouse of a member of the armed forces with preference in hiring over an individual who is a preference eligible.
Space-Available Use of Facilities for Spouse Training Purposes.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department may make available to a non-Department of Defense entity space in non-excess facilities controlled by that Secretary for the purpose of the non-Department of Defense entity providing employment-related training for military spouses.
Employment by Other Federal Agencies.—
The Secretary of Defense shall work with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to expand and facilitate the use of existing Federal programs and resources in support of military spouse employment.
Private-Sector Employment.—
The Secretary of Defense—
shall seek to develop partnerships with firms in the private sector to enhance employment opportunities for spouses of members of the armed forces and to provide for improved job portability for such spouses, especially in the case of the spouse of a member of the armed forces accompanying the member to a new geographical area because of a change of permanent duty station of the member; and
shall work with the United States Chamber of Commerce and other appropriate private-sector entities to facilitate the formation of such partnerships.
Employment With DOD Contractors.—
The Secretary of Defense shall examine and seek ways for incorporating hiring preferences for qualified spouses of members of the armed forces into contracts between the Department of Defense and private-sector entities.
Source
(Added Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, § 568(a)(1),Notes
Amendments
Improved Data Collection Related to Efforts To Reduce Underemployment of Spouses of Members of the Armed Forces and Close the Wage Gap Between Military Spouses and Their Civilian Counterparts
Data Collection Efforts.—
In addition to monitoring the number of spouses of members of the Armed Forces who obtain employment through military spouse employment programs, the Secretary of Defense shall collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of military spouse employment programs—
in addressing the underemployment of military spouses;
in matching military spouses’ education and experience to available employment positions; and
in closing the wage gap between military spouses and their civilian counterparts.
Report Required.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
in reducing military spouse unemployment and underemployment; and
in reducing the wage gap between military spouses and their civilian counterparts.
Military Spouse Employment Programs Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘military spouse employment programs’ means the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP).”
Pilot Program To Secure Internships for Military Spouses With Federal Agencies
Cost-reimbursement Agreements With Federal Agencies.—
The Secretary of Defense may enter into an agreement with the head of an executive department or agency that has an established internship program to reimburse the department or agency for authorized costs associated with the first year of employment of an eligible military spouse who is selected to participate in the internship program of the department or agency.
Eligible Military Spouses.—
Eligibility.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who is married to a member of the Armed Forces on active duty is eligible for selection to participate in an internship program under a reimbursement agreement entered into under subsection (a).
Exclusions.—
Reimbursement may not be provided with respect to the following persons:
A person who is legally separated from a member of the Armed Forces under court order or statute of any State, the District of Columbia, or possession of the United States when the person begins the internship.
A person who is also a member of the Armed Forces on active duty.
A person who is a retired member of the Armed Forces.
Funding Source.—
Amounts authorized to be appropriated for operation and maintenance, for Defense-wide activities, shall be available to carry out this section.
Definitions.—
In this section:
The term ‘authorized costs’ includes the costs of the salary, benefits and allowances, and training for an eligible military spouse during the first year of the participation of the military spouse in an internship program pursuant to an agreement under subsection (a).
The term ‘internship’ means a professional, analytical, or administrative position in the Federal Government that operates under a developmental program leading to career advancement.
Termination of Agreement Authority.—
No agreement may be entered into under subsection (a) after
Reporting Requirement.—
Not later than