Military and Educational Data Integration Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1573
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T16:59:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Military and Educational Data Integration Act (H.R. 1573) aims to create a secure process for sharing specific demographic and educational data about Armed Forces members (and some applicants) with State educational agencies (SEAs). This allows states to track the post-high-school outcomes of their graduates who enter military service, integrating the data into state education tracking systems to inform policies on education and career pathways.
Key Provisions
- Data Sharing Process: The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security (referred to as the "Secretaries concerned"), in consultation with the Secretary of Education, SEAs, local educational agencies (LEAs, such as school districts), and privacy experts, must establish a data-sharing system within 18 months of the bill's enactment. This system enables SEAs to access data on individuals who graduated high school in their state and either joined the military or had their application denied.
- Types of Data Shared:
- For military members: Highest education level attained, names and locations of schools attended (including high school), Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score (a test assessing aptitude for military service), date joined, branch of service, rank, area of expertise or job specialty, separation date (if applicable), and other relevant information as determined by the Secretaries.
- For denied applicants: Similar details, including education levels, schools, and AFQT score.
- Integration Requirement: SEAs must incorporate the data into their statewide longitudinal data system (a database tracking student progress over time) or an alternative state-operated system.
- Privacy and Security Measures:
- Data must be transmitted confidentially using the latest security standards.
- Sharing must comply with federal, state, and local privacy laws to protect individual privacy.
- Both the Secretaries and SEAs must implement safeguards to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, availability, and protection from unauthorized access.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal mandate for data sharing between the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS, which oversees the Coast Guard), and state education entities. Previously, no standardized process existed for routinely providing such military outcome data to SEAs, though some limited sharing may occur under broader federal education laws like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The change formalizes and expands access while emphasizing privacy protections.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DoD and DHS will need to develop and maintain new data systems and protocols, potentially increasing administrative costs but improving coordination with education departments. SEAs and LEAs gain tools to analyze how education prepares students for military careers, aiding in program evaluations and resource allocation.
- Citizens: High school graduates entering or applying to the military (and their families) may see indirect benefits through better state-level insights into career outcomes, but it raises privacy risks if safeguards fail. Broader public impact includes enhanced educational policies that could improve transitions from school to military service.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. military and education systems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Armed Forces Members and Applicants: Their personal and career data is shared, affecting privacy but potentially benefiting state education tracking of alumni success.
- State and Local Educational Agencies (SEAs and LEAs): Primary beneficiaries, gaining data to refine education strategies, especially for students pursuing military paths.
- Federal Agencies: DoD, DHS, and the Department of Education must collaborate on implementation, consultations, and compliance.
- Privacy Experts and Consultants: Involved in shaping the process to ensure secure data handling.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill reinforces existing privacy frameworks (e.g., under ESEA and federal data laws like FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects student records) by requiring compliance, but it could lead to challenges if data breaches occur. It defines key terms consistently with ESEA to avoid ambiguity.
- Constitutional: Potential concerns under the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches) or privacy rights, though mitigated by confidentiality mandates and limited data scope. No broad free speech or equal protection issues apparent.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad support for bridging education and military pipelines, potentially influencing debates on national security, veteran education outcomes, and federal-state data-sharing efficiencies. It may encourage similar integrations for other career sectors without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Military and Educational Data Integration Act — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (5 pages)