ANCHOR for Military Families Act

This bill aims to make military moves easier for families. It tells the Defense Department to give clear, helpful information about relocation help when a service member gets orders to move to a new duty station, and to do so at least 45 days before the move .

Key points

• Who is affected: Members of the Armed Forces and their families who receive permanent change of station (PCS) orders.
• What changes: Families must get information on housing help, family assistance programs (like financial planning, spouse job support, and community integration), mental health support, school transition and special education services for children (including IEP transfers and coordination with the Exceptional Family Member Program), and legal and financial counseling . The information must also cover local education systems, school enrollment steps, and state rules under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
• How it’s delivered: The Defense Department must provide easy-to-use briefings and online materials, do outreach to raise awareness, and check how satisfied families are with the information.
• When: Families must receive the information at least 45 days before the PCS takes effect, and the Department must report to Congress on progress within one year and then yearly for three years .