REVIEW OF FEDERAL FORMER SPOUSE PROTECTION LAWS.

SEC. 643. REVIEW OF FEDERAL FORMER SPOUSE PROTECTION LAWS. (a) Review Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a comprehensive review (including a comparison) of— (1) the protections, benefits, and treatment afforded under Federal law to members and former members of the uniformed services and former spouses of such persons; and (2) the protections, benefits, and treatment afforded under Federal law to employees and former employees of the Government and former spouses of such persons. (b) Military Personnel Matters To Be Reviewed.—In the case of members and former members of the uniformed services and former spouses of such persons, the review under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) All provisions of law (principally those originally enacted in the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (title X of Public Law 97–252)) that— (A) establish, provide for the enforcement of, or otherwise protect interests of members and former members of the uniformed services and former spouses of such persons in retired or retainer pay of members and former members; or (B) provide other benefits for members and former members of the uniformed services and former spouses of such persons. (2) The experience of the uniformed services in administering those provisions of law, including the adequacy and effectiveness of the legal assistance provided by the Department of Defense in matters related to the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act. (3) The experience of members and former members of the uniformed sendees and former spouses of such persons in the administration of those provisions of law. (4) The experience of members and former members of the uniformed services and former spouses of such persons in the application of those provisions of law by State courts. (5) The history of State statutes and State court interpretations of the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act and other provisions of Federal law described in paragraph 111 STAT. 1800(1)(A) and the extent to which those interpretations follow those laws. (c) Civilian Personnel Matters To Be Reviewed.—In the case of former spouses of employees and former employees of the Government, the review under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) All provisions of law that— (A) establish, provide for the enforcement of, or otherwise protect interests of employees and former employees of the Government and former spouses of such persons in annuities of employees and former employees under Federal employees’ retirement systems; or (B) provide other benefits for employees and former employees of the Government and former spouses of such persons. (2) The experience of the Office of Personnel Management and other agencies of the Government in administering those provisions of law. (3) The experience of employees and former employees of the Government and former spouses of such persons in the administration of those provisions of law. (4) The experience of employees and former employees of the Government and former spouses of such persons in the application of those provisions of law by State courts. (d) Sampling Authorized.—The Secretary may use sampling in carrying out the review under this section. (e) Report.—Not later than September 30, 1999, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the review under subsection (a). The report shall include any recommendations for legislation that the Secretary considers appropriate.