H.R. 7745: To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare… (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill establishes new requirements for wellness checks concerning the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces. Below are the main points of the proposed legislation:

Wellness Checks

The Secretary of Defense is mandated to create regulations that require wellness checks for Armed Forces members in specific situations:

When a service member has suffered a significant injury or illness.
When a service member has been on sick call.

If a member does not respond to wellness checks conducted via electronic or telephone communication, the check must escalate to an in-person contact.

If the individual conducting the wellness check cannot locate the service member, they must refer to existing Department of Defense policies to determine the person's status, which may include being reported missing or absent without leave.

Implementation by Unit Commanders

The Secretary of Defense is also responsible for ensuring that each unit commander works with legal advisors within their unit to help implement the new regulations regarding wellness checks.

Additional Actions by Unit Commanders

Unit commanders are required to:

Review critical information requirements relating to health and safety at least every three years to ensure they are up-to-date regarding medical issues affecting their members.
Host confidential wellness meetings where commanders can discuss significant injuries or illnesses affecting their unit members with medical officers.

Training Courses

The bill calls for the creation of training programs by the relevant Secretaries to ensure that all Armed Forces personnel and Department of Defense civilian employees understand the importance of accountability regarding health and wellness. These programs will include training on how to conduct wellness checks as outlined in the legislation.