To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

119 HR 7745 IH: To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7745 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 2, 2026 Mr. Arrington (for himself, Mr. McDowell , Mrs. Luna , Mr. Rose , Mr. Van Epps , and Mr. Lawler ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 1. Requirements relating to wellness checks for health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces (a) Wellness checks (1) Wellness checks required The Secretary of Defense shall issue such regulations, policies, and procedures as may be necessary to require that, whenever appropriate following a member of the Armed Forces sustaining any significant injury or illness or being on sick call, a wellness check is conducted to account for the health and welfare of such member. (2) Methods of contact In conducting a wellness check for a member of the Armed Forces pursuant to paragraph (1), if the member does not respond to such check conducted via an electronic or telephone communication method, the individual conducting the check shall progress to an in-person method of contact. (3) Result of failure to locate If, as a result of a wellness check conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) for a member of the Armed Forces, the individual conducting such check is unable to locate such member, the individual shall refer to the applicable regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Defense regarding the determination and reporting of such member as missing, absent unknown, absent without leave, or duty status-whereabouts unknown. (b) Implementation by unit commanders In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each unit commander coordinates with the judge advocates assigned or attached to, or performing duty with, the unit under the command of such commander for assistance in the implementation of any regulation, policy, or procedure required under subsection (a) with respect to such unit. (c) Additional actions by unit commanders On a routine basis, each unit commander shall— (1) review the requirements contained in the document titled Commander's Critical Information Requirements , dated January 2020, or such successor document, to ensure such requirements— (A) have been issued or updated during the three-year period preceding any such review; (B) reflect such medical issues or safety incidents of members of the Armed Forces that the commander deems sufficiently significant; and (C) have been distributed to the unit under the command of such commander; and (2) host confidential wellness meetings with subordinate commanders at which such commanders may discuss with one or more medical officers assigned to such unit any significant injuries or illnesses affecting members of the Armed Forces serving in or with such unit. (d) Training courses Each Secretary concerned, and the Secretary of Defense with respect to civilian personnel of the Department of Defense, shall develop and implement training courses to ensure each member of an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of that Secretary (or each civilian employee of the Department of Defense, respectively) is aware of the importance of accountability with respect to health and welfare and of the significant negative outcomes that may occur when accountability procedures fail. Such courses shall be offered at leadership and supervisor trainings and shall include content relating to the conduct of wellness checks in accordance with subsection (a) and other related actions. (e) Secretary concerned defined In this section, the term Secretary concerned has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.