CHAPTER 50-MISCELLANEOUS COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025- Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title V, §§521(a), 522(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 863 , 864, added items 996 and 997. Amendments were made pursuant to operation of section 102 of this title.

2022- Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title III, §382(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2543 , added item 995.

2015- Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VI, §661(e)(2), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 858 , substituted "Financial literacy training: financial services" for "Consumer education: financial services" in item 992.

2013- Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title III, §371(b)(2), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1706 , added item 994.

2011- Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §522(d)(2), div. B, title XXVIII, §2864(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1401 , 1702, substituted "Management of deployments of members and measurement and data collection of unit operating and personnel tempo" for "Management of deployments of members" in item 991 and added item 993.

2006- Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §578(a)(2), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3276 , added item 992.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Regulations to Prohibit Abandonment

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title III, §382(e), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2543 , provided that: "Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations to prohibit the abandonment of military working dogs used in support of a military operation outside of the continental United States."

Minimum Standards for Military Working Dog Kennels and Facilities

Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title III, §378, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 842 , provided that:

"(a) Establishment of Minimum Standards.-Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of each military department, veterinary experts, and military working dog program managers, shall establish minimum standards for kennels and other facilities used to house military working dogs. Such minimum standards shall include each of the following:

"(1) Requirements for space and design to ensure each military working dog has sufficient space to stand, turn around, lie down comfortably, and engage in natural behaviors.

"(2) Standards for environmental conditions to ensure adequate ventilation, temperature control, and protection from extreme weather conditions.

"(3) Standards for sanitation and hygiene to ensure kennels and other facilities can be easily cleaned and disinfected.

"(4) Requirements related to safety and security to prevent military working dogs from escaping and being injured and preventing access to kennels and other facilities by unauthorized individuals.

"(5) Standards for access to veterinary care to address the routine and emergency medical care needs of military working dogs, either at a military veterinary treatment facility or through sufficient on-site veterinary capabilities.

"(6) Requirements related to daily access to exercise areas.

"(7) Required annual inspections to ensure compliance with such standards.

"(8) Such other standards and requirements as the Secretary of Defense determines are appropriate.

"(b) Implementation and Compliance.-

"(1) Existing facilities.-

"(A) Assessment.-Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the standards required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Executive Agent for the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program, shall ensure that each kennel and other facility used to house military working dogs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense is assessed to determine the extent to which such kennel or facility is in compliance with such standards.

"(B) Modification.-Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Executive Agent, shall ensure that each such kennel and facility is modified to the extent required to comply with such standards.

"(2) New facilities.-The Secretary, acting through the Executive Agent, shall ensure that any kennel or other facility used to house military working dogs under the jurisdiction of the Department that is constructed or renovated after the date of the enactment of this Act is in compliance with such standards before such kennel or facility is used to house such a military working dog.

"(c) Waiver Authority.-The Secretary of Defense may waive a specific requirement or standard developed under subsection (a), on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is required to provide for a temporary deployment or due to exigent circumstances. The Secretary may not issue a waiver under this subsection unless the Secretary-

"(1) provides for the implementation of alternative measures to ensure the welfare of any dogs affected by the waiver; and

"(2) submits to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing notice of the waiver, a justification for such waiver, and a description of the alternative measures provided under paragraph (1)."