National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum Act

This bill would officially name the POW/MIA Memorial and Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, as the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum. The site is a 26-acre museum being built on POW-MIA Memorial Parkway. It aims to honor 142,000 U.S. service members who were prisoners of war since World War II and about 82,000 who are still missing or unaccounted for. It will share their stories, explain the POW/MIA logo, highlight the history of Naval Air Station Cecil Field, and offer exhibits and programs for visitors of all ages.

The museum’s director must send Congress a report within 90 days of the law taking effect, including a five-year budget, how the museum is organized, its rules, and any accreditations. If the report is late—or if the museum isn’t operating in a satisfactory way within five years—the national designation can be removed.

• Who is affected: Former POWs, families of the missing, veterans, local residents, and visitors who will learn from the exhibits and events.
• What changes: The museum gets “National” status; it must provide a detailed report to Congress; the title can be withdrawn if standards aren’t met.
• When: Report due within 90 days of enactment; possible removal of the designation after five years if the museum isn’t operating satisfactorily.