IAM is following two related bills; the House bill hasn’t moved since its introduction in May, and the Senate companion was introduced on November 18. While most of the requirements would fall on DoD, the one that stands out to IAM is the 45-day notification of move to the service member requirement laid out in the bill, which is in contrast to all of the short fuse shipments currently taking place.
On November 18, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced bipartisan legislation to directly support military families when they are ordered to relocate to a new base. The Assuring Navigation of Compact Help for Ongoing Relocation (ANCHOR) for Military Families Act (or ANCHOR for Military Families Act) would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to give military families clear, timely information about relocation resources when they receive orders to relocate.
Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and is being led by Congresswoman Emily Randall (D-WA-06) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01). The legislation is also supported by several organizations, including Blue Star Families, Partners in Promise, Association of Secondary School Principals, and Secure Families Initiatives.
Military families move every two to three years through the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process and the average military child changes schools six to nine times between kindergarten and high school. Military families can face challenges when relocating across state lines, including school enrollment, credit transfers, and access to special education services.
In a recent survey, approximately 76% of active-duty military families with children faced problems with their kids changing schools during a required move. 47% faced problems accessing special medical and/or educational services for their child. A military-connected student with existing individualized educational support faces an average delay of special education services of nearly six months following a move. In addition, about 29% of servicemembers cite the impact of military life on their children’s education as a primary reason for considering separation from service.
By requiring the DoD to give military families clear and timely information, the ANCHOR for Military Families Act would alleviate the burden put on servicemembers to find and utilize the information and resources needed for seamless transitions when required to relocate.