(a) Establishment
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program to be known as the Push-Text Initiative (in this section referred to as the pilot program ) to provide members of the Armed Forces, assigned to one or more military installations located outside of the United States, and the adult dependents of such members, with timely and relevant information via text message.
(b) Implementation
Under the pilot program—
a member of the Armed Forces assigned to a location participating in the pilot program, or the dependent of such a member, may elect to receive such information using all available text messaging contact information provided by such a member or dependent; and
a member or dependent who elects to receive information under paragraph (1) may opt out of receiving text messages under the pilot program at any time.
(c) Covered information
Text messages transmitted under the pilot program shall include—
information on employment opportunities for military spouses, career counseling, and related support programs;
updates with respect to child care services available both on and off the installation, availability of child care, and child care fee assistance programs;
information regarding general TRICARE program benefits, enrollment deadlines, and other health-related resources;
notifications of changes in Department of Defense policies, regulations, or Federal laws that affect members or dependents of members; and
any other information or resources that the Secretary considers relevant to the well-being of members and dependents of members.
(d) Report
Not later than October 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program. Such report shall include—
a description of how the pilot program was implemented, including the timeline, execution plan, and the official managing the pilot program;
data on participation and usage, including the number of individuals who elected to participate, the rates of enrollment and disenrollment, and the frequency and types of messages transmitted;
any observed benefits or outcomes of the pilot program, including feedback from participants;
an analysis of the costs of operating the pilot program and any cost savings or efficiencies achieved by consolidating or scaling back other outreach efforts with respect to issues addressed by the pilot program; and
the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding the pilot program to the entire Department of Defense, including any proposed modifications to the program and an assessment of the anticipated costs, resource requirements, and potential benefits of Department-wide implementation.
(e) Termination
The pilot program shall terminate on the day that is three years after the date on which the pilot program is established.