EXCEPTIONAL ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION.

SEC. 573. EXCEPTIONAL ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION.(a) Authority.—Section 1059 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:“(m) Exceptional Eligibility for Dependents of Former Members.—(1) The Secretary concerned, under regulations prescribed under subsection (k), may authorize eligibility for benefits under this section for dependents and former dependents of a former member of the armed forces in a case in which the dependents or former dependents are not otherwise eligible for such benefits and the Secretary concerned determines that the former member engaged in conduct that is a dependent-abuse offense under this section and the former member was separated from active duty other than as described in subsection (b).“(2) In a case in which the Secretary concerned, under the authority of paragraph (1), authorizes benefits to be provided under this section, such benefits shall be provided in the same manner as if the former member were an individual described in subsection (b), except that, under regulations prescribed under subsection (k), the Secretary shall make such adjustments to the commencement and duration of payment provisions of subsection (e), and may make adjustments to other provisions of this section, as the Secretary considers necessary in light of the circumstances in order to provide benefits substantially equivalent to the benefits provided in the case of an individual described in subsection (b).“(3) The authority of the Secretary concerned under paragraph (1) may not be delegated.”.(b) Effective Date.—The authority under subsection (m) of section 1059 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may be exercised with respect to eligibility for benefits under that section only for dependents and former dependents of individuals who are separated from active duty in the Armed Forces on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 117 STAT. 1486