Flight 293 Remembrance Act
- Bill Number
- S. 411
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25T20:20:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Overview of S. 411: Flight 293 Remembrance Act
This bill, introduced in the 119th Congress on February 5, 2025, by Senators Murray and Sullivan, aims to honor and support families affected by non-combat military plane crashes. It directs the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create records and provide targeted assistance.
Purpose
The legislation seeks to identify and document service members who died in non-combat military plane crashes classified as "Operational Loss/Non-War Loss," establish a public database of these individuals, and ensure their families receive comprehensive support, including access to benefits and peer networks. It emphasizes remembrance and streamlined aid for families dealing with such losses.
Key Provisions
- Identification and Database Development (Section 2(a)): Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, must review DoD records starting from 1984 to identify qualifying crashes. For crashes before 1984, information will come from other organizations. A publicly accessible database must be created and maintained, listing the names, ranks, and service details of deceased Armed Forces members.
- Family Assistance (Section 2(b)): The DoD, with VA input, must help families of those who died in these crashes by:
- Informing them of available DoD benefits, resources, and services (e.g., financial aid, counseling, and survivor benefits specific to non-combat losses).
- Providing personalized guidance on applying for these supports.
- Connecting families to community and peer networks for sharing experiences.
- Designated Point of Contact (Section 2(c)): The DoD must appoint a specific contact person to:
- Guide families through benefits processes.
- Update them on new programs, legal changes affecting eligibility, and recovery efforts for remains.
- Coordinate with the VA and local organizations for efficient support.
- Consultations (Section 2(d)): The DoD may seek advice from expert organizations familiar with these crashes.
- Reporting Requirement (Section 2(e)): Within two years of enactment, the DoD must submit a report to Congress detailing:
- Number of families assisted and types of support provided.
- Progress on the database, including the percentage of crashes documented.
- Effectiveness of the program and family satisfaction.
- Recommendations for improving or expanding the efforts through new laws.
- Nondiscrimination Rules (Section 2(f)): Programs under this act must follow federal anti-discrimination laws (e.g., against disability under the Rehabilitation Act, sex under Title IX, or race/color/national origin under Title VI). These programs are treated as federally funded education activities, even if run directly by DoD or VA. The secretaries must issue enforcement regulations for their staff.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces entirely new mandates, as no prior federal law specifically requires a centralized database or dedicated family support program for non-combat military plane crash deaths. It builds on existing DoD and VA benefits systems by adding targeted identification, outreach, and coordination requirements. The nondiscrimination provisions extend civil rights protections (from laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964) to these new support activities, treating them similarly to federally assisted programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD and VA will need to invest time and resources in record reviews, database creation, staff training for the point of contact, and family outreach. This could strain budgets initially but may improve long-term efficiency in survivor services. The required congressional report ensures accountability and potential future funding.
- On Citizens: Families of affected service members gain easier access to benefits and emotional support, reducing barriers to aid. The public database promotes transparency and remembrance, potentially aiding historical research or closure for communities.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. military records and family support without addressing foreign entities or alliances.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families of Deceased Service Members: Primary beneficiaries, receiving enhanced guidance, benefits access, and peer connections.
- Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementation, including database maintenance, assistance programs, and reporting.
- Congress: Receives oversight reports and may act on recommendations for further legislation.
- Support Organizations and Experts: Involved in consultations, providing input on crashes and aiding family networks; they benefit from coordinated efforts.
- Broader Public and Historians: Gain access to the public database for remembrance and educational purposes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: By applying established civil rights laws to these programs, the bill strengthens protections against discrimination in military family support, potentially allowing families to file complaints or seek enforcement through federal mechanisms. It mandates regulations for DoD and VA staff, ensuring consistent application.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with the government's duty to support its military personnel and families (under Article I's appropriations power), without raising free speech, privacy, or due process concerns, as the database is limited to public service details and family assistance is voluntary.
- Political Implications: Named after "Flight 293," the bill honors specific historical losses, signaling bipartisan support for military remembrance (introduced by senators from different parties). It could set a precedent for similar databases or supports for other non-combat military incidents, influencing future veterans' policy debates without partisan controversy evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-02-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Flight 293 Remembrance Act — issued 2025-02-05 — PDF (6 pages)