Separate bipartisan bills were introduced yesterday in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which protects members of the Armed Forces and other branches of the government from certain financial situations, including judgments, garnishments, and other adverse collection-related actions.
H.R.5752 was introduced by Rep. Mike Levin [D-Calif.] and co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Garcia [R-Calif.]. S.3084 was introduced by Sen. Maggie Hassan [D-N.H.], and co-sponsored by Sen. Kevin Cramer [R-N.D.].
Both bills would allow servicemembers to cancel telephone, Internet, and cable contracts if they receive orders for a permanent change of station, but then receive a stop movement order as a result of an emergency situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In many cases, servicemembers and their families may sign up for new service after receiving orders that they are being moved permanently, and if those orders are canceled, they could end up being forced to pay for services in two locations.
“Military families make incredible personal sacrifices moving from one base to another, particularly when sudden stop movement orders interrupt those plans. The last thing they should be stuck with is an extra cable, phone, or internet bill for a place where they don’t even live,” said Rep. Levin, in a statement. “We must do right by our servicemembers and make sure they aren’t placed in that situation by passing the Emergency Relief for Servicemembers Act. I’m optimistic we can advance this important bipartisan bill soon on behalf of all military families.”
Rep. Levin was able to have a similar bill signed into law last year that allowed servicemembers to terminate residential leases if they received a stop movement order due to a local, national, or global emergency.
Both bills have been referred to their respective Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. They have been endorsed by both the National Military Family Association and Blue Star Families.
