EXPEDITED PROCESSING OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

SEC. 351. EXPEDITED PROCESSING OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.(a) Expedited Processing of Security Clearances.—Section 1564 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following new subsection (a):“(a) Expedited Process.—The Secretary of Defense may prescribe a process for expediting the completion of the background investigations necessary for granting security clearances for—“(1) Department of Defense personnel and Department of Defense contractor personnel who are engaged in sensitive duties that are critical to the national security; and“(2) any individual who—“(A) submits an application for a position as an employee of the Department of Defense for which—“(i) the individual is qualified; and“(ii) a security clearance is required; and“(B) is—“(i) a member of the armed forces who was retired or separated, or is expected to be retired or separated, for physical disability pursuant to chapter 61 of this title;“(ii) the spouse of a member of the armed forces who retires or is separated, after the date of the enactment of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, for a physical disability as a result of a wound, injuries or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty (as determined by the Secretary concerned); or“(iii) the spouse of a member of the armed forces who dies, after the date of the enactment of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, as a result of a wound, injury, or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty (as determined by the Secretary concerned).”; and(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:“(f) Use of Appropriated Funds.—The Secretary of Defense may use funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance to conduct background 124 STAT. 4193 investigations under this section for individuals described in subsection (a)(2).”.(b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a background investigation conducted after the date of the enactment of this Act.