MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT TO TRANSFER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS TO DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY.

SEC. 720. [10 U.S.C. 1073c note] MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT TO TRANSFER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS TO DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY. (a) Temporary Retention.—Notwithstanding section 1073c(e) of title 10, United States Code, at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, a military department may retain, until not later than February 1, 2024, a covered function if the Secretary of Defense determines the covered function— (1) addresses a need that is unique to the military department; and (2) is in direct support of operating forces and necessary to execute strategies relating to national security and defense. (b) Briefing.— (1) In general.—Not later than March 1, 2023, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on any covered function that the Secretary has determined should be retained by a military department pursuant to subsection (a). (2) Elements.—The briefing required by paragraph (1) shall address the following: (A) A description of each covered function that the Secretary has determined should be retained by a military department pursuant to subsection (a). (B) The rationale for each such determination. (C) Recommendations for amendments to section 1073c of title 10, United States Code, to authorize the ongoing retention of covered functions by military departments. (c) Modification to Names of Public Health Commands.—Section 1073c(e)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “Army Public Health Command, the Navy-Marine Corps Public Health Command” and inserting “Army Public Health Center, the Navy-Marine Corps Public Health Center”. (d) Covered Function Defined.—In this section, the term “covered function” means— (1) a function relating to research and development that would otherwise be transferred to the Defense Health Agency Research and Development pursuant to section 1073c(e)(1) of title 10, United States Code; or (2) a function relating to public health that would otherwise be transferred to the Defense Health Agency Public Health pursuant to section 1073c(e)(2) of such title.