REPORT ON RE-DETERMINATION PROCESS FOR PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED DEPENDENTS OF RETIRED AND DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

SEC. 644. REPORT ON RE-DETERMINATION PROCESS FOR PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED DEPENDENTS OF RETIRED AND DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.(a) Report Required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the re-determination process of the Department of Defense used to determine the eligibility of permanently incapacitated dependents of retired and deceased members of the Armed Forces for benefits provided under laws administered by the Secretary.(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:(1) An assessment of the re-determination process, including the following:(A) The rationale for requiring a quadrennial recertification of financial support after issuance of a permanent identification card to a permanently incapacitated dependent.(B) The administrative and other burdens the quadrennial recertification imposes on the affected sponsor and dependents, especially after the sponsor becomes ill, incapacitated, or deceased.(C) The extent to which the quadrennial recertification undermines the utility of issuing a permanent identification card.123 STAT. 2368(D) The extent of the consequences entailed in eliminating the requirement for quadrennial recertification.(2) Specific recommendations for the following:(A) Improving the efficiency of the recertification process.(B) Minimizing the burden of such process on the sponsors of such dependents.(C) Eliminating the requirement for quadrennial recertification.