PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN CHAPLAIN-LED MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

SEC. 582. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN CHAPLAIN-LED MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS.(a) In General.—(1) Chapter 88 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end of subchapter I the following new section:“§ 1789. Chaplain-led programs: authorized support“(a) Authority.—The Secretary of a military department may provide support services described in subsection (b) to support chaplain-led programs to assist members of the armed forces on active duty and their immediate family members, and members of reserve components in an active status and their immediate family members, in building and maintaining a strong family structure.117 STAT. 1490“(b) Authorized Support Services.—The support services referred to in subsection (a) are costs of transportation, food, lodging, child care, supplies, fees, and training materials for members of the armed forces and their family members while participating in programs referred to in that subsection, including participation at retreats and conferences.“(c) Immediate Family Members.—In this section, the term ‘immediate family members’, with respect to a member of the armed forces, means—“(1) the member’s spouse; and“(2) any child (as defined in section 1072(6) of this title) of the member who is described in subparagraph (D) of section 1072(2) of this title.” .(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1788 the following new item: “1789. Chaplain-led programs: authorized support.”. (b) Effective Date.—Section 1789 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1, 2003.