H.R. 148 – Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC

The Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2021 creates two new benefits for military families. First, it expands the existing work‑opportunity tax credit to include qualified military spouses or domestic partners, letting them claim the credit when they start a new job after Dec. 31, 2019. Second, it directs the Defense and Homeland Security secretaries to set up pre‑tax flexible spending accounts that service members can use for childcare expenses for their dependent children.

Key Provisions

Amends the Internal Revenue Code so that a "qualified military spouse" (or domestic partner) is eligible for the work‑opportunity tax credit.
Defines "qualified military spouse" as the spouse or domestic partner of an active‑duty service member, recognized under state law or by the Armed Forces.
Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to establish procedures for flexible spending arrangements that let service members pay for childcare on a pre‑tax basis, following existing IRS rules.
The new childcare flexible spending rules must consider factors outlined in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act and any other relevant considerations.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Ways and Means Committee

January 4, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

January 4, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Ways and Means Committee

January 4, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 148

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2021

Mr. Norcross (for himself, Mr. Beyer, Mrs. Luria, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Turner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To provide a work opportunity tax credit for military spouses and to provide for flexible spending arrangements for childcare services for military families.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2021.

2.

Work opportunity tax credit for military spouses

(a)

In general

Section 51(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—

(1)

by striking or at the end of subparagraph (I);

(2)

by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (J) and inserting , or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(K)

a qualified military spouse.

.

(b)

Qualified military spouse

Section 51(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(16)

Qualified military spouse

The term qualified military spouse means the spouse or domestic partner (as recognized under State law or by the Armed Forces) of a member of the Armed Forces.

.

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2019.

3.

Flexible spending arrangements for childcare services for military families

(a)

FSAs required

The Secretary concerned shall establish procedures to implement flexible spending arrangements with respect to basic pay and compensation for members of the Armed Forces for childcare services for dependent children of such members on a pre-tax basis in accordance with the regulations prescribed under sections 106(c) and 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(b)

Considerations

The procedures required by subsection (a) shall take into account the considerations specified in section 663(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 2371) and such other considerations as the Secretaries concerned consider appropriate.

(c)

Secretary concerned defined

In this section, the term Secretary concerned means the following:

(1)

The Secretary of Defense, with respect to members of the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force.

(2)

The Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to members of the Coast Guard.