H.R. 4021 – Representation for Exceptional Military Families Act

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 4:32 AM UTC

The bill adds a new Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council to the Department of Defense. The council’s job is to advise Congress, the Secretary of Defense, and the service chiefs on how to improve the Exceptional Family Member Program for military families with special needs. It brings together service members, spouses, an adult dependent, and representatives from related DoD agencies. The council must meet at least quarterly and submit recommendations at least twice a year.

Key Provisions

Creates the Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council within the DoD under Title 10, U.S. Code.
Council’s purpose is to provide recommendations on improving the Exceptional Family Member Program to Congress, the Secretary of Defense, and service chiefs, at least every six months.
Specifies council composition: one active‑duty service member with a dependent in the program, two military spouses (one enlisted, one officer), one adult dependent in the program, a member of the Exceptional Family Member Program Coalition, and representatives from the Defense Health Agency, DoD Education Activity, and Office of Special Needs.
Members are appointed by the Vice Chief of Staff of each covered armed force, with an effort to reflect disability‑community diversity; most serve two‑year terms, one original member serves three years.
Council must meet at least once each calendar quarter, in person or by teleconference.
Updates the table of sections to include the new council and repeals a prior advisory panel on community support for military families with special needs.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 17, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 17, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 17, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 17, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4021

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 17, 2021

Mr. Wilson of South Carolina (for himself and Mrs. Luria) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish the Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Representation for Exceptional Military Families Act.

2.

Establishment of Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council

(a)

Establishment

Chapter 7 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting before section 187 the following new section 186:

186.

Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council

(a)

Establishment

There is an Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council in the Department of Defense (in this section referred to as the Council).

(b)

Purpose

The purpose of the Council is to provide, to the Subcommittees on Military Personnel of the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Secretary of Defense, and the chiefs of the covered armed forces, recommendations regarding how to improve the Exceptional Family Member Program. The Council shall provide such recommendations not less than once every six months.

(c)

Composition

The Council shall be composed of the following:

(1)

One member of each covered armed force—

(A)

serving on active duty;

(B)

who has a dependent—

(i)

enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program; and

(ii)

with an individualized education program; and

(C)

appointed by the Vice Chief of Staff of the covered armed force concerned.

(2)

Two military spouses—

(A)

of members eligible to be appointed under paragraph (1);

(B)

who are not civilian employees of the Department of Defense;

(C)

one of whom is married to an enlisted member and one of whom is married to an officer; and

(D)

appointed by the Vice Chief of Staff of the covered armed force concerned.

(3)

One adult dependent—

(A)

enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program; and

(B)

appointed by the Vice Chief of Staff of the covered armed force concerned.

(4)

One representative of the Exceptional Family Member Program Coalition.

(5)

One member of the Defense Health Agency.

(6)

One member of the Department of Defense Education Activity.

(7)

One member of the Office of Special Needs.

(d)

Appointments

In making appointments under subsection (c), the Vice Chief of Staff of the covered armed force concerned shall seek to represent the diversity of the disability community.

(e)

Terms

Each member of the Council shall serve a term of two years, except one of the original members appointed under subsection (c)(2), selected by the Secretary of Defense at the time of appointment, shall be appointed for a term of three years.

(f)

Meetings

The Council shall meet at least once every calendar quarter, in person or by teleconference.

(g)

Covered armed force defined

In this section, the term covered armed force means an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department.

.

(b)

Technical and conforming amendments

(1)

Table of sections

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting before the item relating to section 187 the following new item:

186. Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council.

.

(2)

Termination of advisory panel on community support for military families with special needs

Section 563 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 10 U.S.C. 1781c note) is amended by striking subsection (d).