H.R. 7570 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7570 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 25, 2022Mr. Smith of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To establish certain protections for individuals involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces solely on the basis of refusing to receive vaccinations against COVID-19. 1. Protections for individuals involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces solely on the basis of refusing to receive vaccinations against COVID-19 (a) Reinstatement At the request of a covered individual, the Secretary concerned shall reinstate the covered individual as a member of the Armed Force concerned, in the same rank and grade the covered individual held at the time of separation from the Armed Force concerned. (b) Characterization of discharge or dismissal (1) Prohibition of characterization other than honorable The characterization of the discharge or dismissal of a covered individual shall be honorable. (2) Upgrade In the case of a covered individual discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall ensure the characterization of such discharge or dismissal is honorable. (c) Prohibition of denial of retired pay and benefits No covered individual may be denied, solely on the basis that such individual is a covered individual, any— (1) retired or retainer pay; or (2) benefit (including educational assistance) under a law administered by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered individual means an individual involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces solely on the basis of the refusal of such individual to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. (2) The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.