To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7745
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-02: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T17:39:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to improve accountability for the health and welfare of members of the U.S. Armed Forces by mandating wellness checks after significant injuries or illnesses. It also requires related training, reviews, and coordination to prevent negative outcomes from lapses in monitoring service members' well-being.
Key Provisions
- Wellness Checks Requirement: The Secretary of Defense must create regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure wellness checks are conducted for any Armed Forces member who sustains a significant injury or illness or reports to sick call (a military term for seeking medical attention). These checks verify the member's health and location.
- Methods of Conducting Checks: Checks begin with electronic or phone contact. If the member does not respond, the process escalates to an in-person visit.
- Handling Unlocated Members: If a wellness check fails to locate the member, the responsible individual must follow existing Department of Defense (DoD) rules for reporting the member as missing, absent-unknown, absent without leave (AWOL), or duty status-whereabouts unknown (a status for service members whose location is unclear during duty).
- Role of Unit Commanders in Implementation: Commanders must work with judge advocates (military lawyers) to apply these rules within their units.
- Routine Commander Responsibilities:
- Regularly review and update the "Commander's Critical Information Requirements" document (a guide on key operational info, dated January 2020 or later versions) every three years to include significant medical or safety issues, and distribute it to the unit.
- Hold confidential wellness meetings with subordinate commanders and medical officers to discuss notable injuries or illnesses among unit members.
- Training Requirements: Each military branch secretary (and the Secretary of Defense for civilians) must develop training courses on the importance of health and welfare accountability, including how to perform wellness checks. These courses will be part of leadership and supervisor training for all Armed Forces members and DoD civilian employees.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces new mandatory requirements for wellness checks, escalation procedures, commander reviews, and specialized training, which appear to formalize and expand beyond current DoD practices. It builds on existing reporting rules for missing personnel but adds proactive health monitoring steps not explicitly required before. No specific prior laws are referenced, suggesting these are enhancements to general DoD accountability guidelines.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and military branches will need to develop new regulations, update documents, and implement training programs, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving operational safety and readiness.
- On Citizens/Service Members: Active-duty Armed Forces members will benefit from better health monitoring, which could reduce risks from untreated injuries or illnesses. Family members or dependents are indirectly affected through improved service member welfare. No direct impacts on the general public or international relations are evident.
- Broader Effects: Could lead to fewer incidents of unaddressed health issues in the military, enhancing overall force morale and effectiveness.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense and Military Leadership: Secretary of Defense, branch secretaries, unit commanders, and judge advocates responsible for implementation and oversight.
- Armed Forces Members: Active-duty personnel who are the primary focus of wellness checks and training.
- Support Personnel: Medical officers, subordinate commanders, and DoD civilian employees involved in meetings, reviews, and training delivery.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens DoD's internal procedures under Title 10 of the U.S. Code (which governs the Armed Forces), potentially reducing liability for health-related incidents by mandating accountability. It relies on existing definitions like "Secretary concerned" (the official overseeing a specific military branch).
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with Congress's authority to regulate the military (Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution) and promotes welfare without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Representatives from both parties) highlights a focus on troop safety, which could garner broad support in Congress. It addresses potential gaps in military health protocols without major controversy or resource demands.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-02: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-03-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-03-02 — PDF (4 pages)