((a)) ** .—** The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to provide relocation assistance to members of the armed forces and their families as provided in this section. In addition, the Secretary of Defense shall make every effort, consistent with readiness objectives, to stabilize and lengthen tours of duty to minimize the adverse effects of relocation.

((b)) ** .—**

((1)) The Secretary of each military department, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, shall provide relocation assistance, through military relocation assistance programs described in subsection (c), to members of the armed forces who are ordered to make a change of permanent station which includes a move to a new location (and for dependents of such members who are authorized to move in connection with the change of permanent station).

((2)) The relocation assistance provided shall include the following:

((A)) Provision of destination area information and preparation (to be provided before the change of permanent station takes effect), with emphasis on information with regard to moving costs, housing costs and availability, child care, spouse employment opportunities, cultural adaptation, community orientation, education systems, school enrollment procedures, and State-specific provisions under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

((B)) Provision of counseling about financial management, home buying and selling, renting, stress management aimed at intervention and prevention of abuse, property management, and shipment and storage of household goods (including motor vehicles and pets).

((C)) Provision of settling-in services, with emphasis on available government living quarters, private housing, child care, spouse employment assistance information, cultural adaptation, community orientation, and educational resources for dependent children, including school transition assistance, academic continuity, and special education services.

((D)) Provision of home finding services, with emphasis on services for locating adequate, affordable temporary and permanent housing.

((E)) Educational planning and support services for dependent children with disabilities, including procedures for transferring individualized education programs and coordinating with the Exceptional Family Member Program.

((F)) Provision of information regarding available assistance under this section and any other assistance relating to a change of permanent station available under any other provision of law, including—

((i)) information on family assistance programs authorized under , including financial planning resources, spouse employment support, and community integration services;

((ii)) guidance on available housing assistance, including on-base housing options, rental protections, and resources for off-base relocation;

((iii)) mental health and well-being support services, including those accessible during the period of transition for a change of permanent station;

((iv)) educational resources for dependent children, including school transition assistance and special education services;

((v)) information on available legal and financial counseling programs; and

((vi)) any other assistance programs that support members of the armed forces and their families during relocation.

((3)) The Secretary of each military department shall ensure that relocation assistance required to be provided under this subsection is provided not later than 45 days before the date on which a change of permanent station takes effect for a member of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretary.

((4)) The Secretary of each military department shall—

((A)) incorporate the information required to be provided under this subsection into accessible materials and briefings provided to members of the armed forces relating to a change of permanent station;

((B)) ensure that the program under this section provides accessible materials and briefings at military installations and through online resources;

((C)) develop a communication strategy, including digital outreach and printed materials, to increase awareness of the program under this section and assistance available under other provisions of law relating to a change of permanent station; and

((D)) assess the satisfaction of members of the armed forces with the information provided under this subsection.

((c)) ** .—**

((1)) The Secretary shall provide for the establishment of military relocation assistance programs to provide the relocation assistance described in subsection (b). The Secretary shall establish such a program in each geographic area in which at least 500 members of the armed forces are assigned to or serving at a military installation. A member who is not stationed within a geographic area that contains such a program shall be given access to such a program. The Secretary shall ensure that persons on the staff of each program are trained in the techniques and delivery of professional relocation assistance.

((2)) The Secretary shall ensure that information available through each military relocation assistance program shall be managed through a computerized information system that can interact with all other military relocation assistance programs of the military departments, including programs located outside the continental United States.

((3)) Duties of each military relocation assistance program shall include assisting personnel offices on the military installation in using the computerized information available through the program to help provide members of the armed forces who are deciding whether to reenlist information on locations of possible future duty assignments.

((d)) ** .—** The Secretary of Defense shall establish the position of Director of Military Relocation Assistance Programs in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management and Personnel). The Director shall oversee development and implementation of the military relocation assistance programs under this section.

((e)) ** .—** This section shall be administered under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

((f)) ** .—** This section does not apply to the Coast Guard.