TITLE 14 - US CODE - CHAPTER 13 - PAY, ALLOWANCES, AWARDS, AND OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

14 USC 461 - Remission of indebtedness of enlisted members upon discharge

If he considers it in the best interest of the United States, the Secretary may have remitted or canceled any part of an enlisted members indebtedness to the United States or any of its instrumentalities remaining unpaid before or at the time of, that members honorable discharge.

14 USC 462 - Repealed. Pub. L. 87649, 14d(1), Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502]

Section, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 530; May 14, 1960, Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(19), 74 Stat. 146, related to pay and allowances of rear admirals. See section 202 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

14 USC 462a - Repealed. Pub. L. 97417, 2(11), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2086]

Section, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 10(a), 70A Stat. 623; amended Sept. 7, 1962, Pub. L. 87–649, § 7(b), 76 Stat. 495, related to retired pay after two years of active duty for retired rear admirals.

14 USC 463 - Repealed. Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, 36, 64 Stat. 408]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 530, related to continuation of additional pay.

464, 465. Repealed. Pub. L. 87649, 14d(2), (3), Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502]

Section 464, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, related to allotments of pay. See section 703 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services. Section 465, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, related to advances to officers ordered to and from sea or shore duty beyond the seas. See section 1006 of Title 37.

14 USC 466 - Repealed. July 12, 1955, ch. 328, 5(3), 69 Stat. 296]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, provided for settlement of accounts of deceased officers and men. See section 2771 of Title 10, Armed Forces, and section 714 of Title 32, National Guard.

14 USC 467 - Computation of length of service

In computing length of service of officers and enlisted personnel for any purpose all creditable service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Revenue Cutter Service, and Life Saving Service shall be included in addition to any other creditable service authorized by any other law.

14 USC 468 - Procurement of personnel

The Coast Guard may expend operating expense funds for recruiting activities, including but not limited to advertising and entertainment, in order to

(1) obtain recruits for the Service and cadet applicants; and

(2) gain support of recruiting objectives from those who may assist in the recruiting effort.

14 USC 469 - Training

The Coast Guard may make expenditures for the training of personnel, including books, school supplies, correspondence courses, motion picture equipment, and other equipment for instructional purposes.

14 USC 470 - Special instruction at universities

Coast Guard personnel may be assigned for special instruction at private or state colleges or universities, and their expenses, including tuition, books, laboratory equipment and fees, and school supplies, may be defrayed by the Coast Guard.

14 USC 471 - Attendance at professional meetings

Coast Guard personnel may be directed to attend meetings of technical, professional, scientific, and other similar organizations and may be reimbursed for expenses thereby incurred at the rates authorized by law.

14 USC 471a - Repealed. Pub. L. 87651, title III, 307B, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 526]

Section, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 11(a), 70A Stat. 624, authorized transportation of motor vehicles on permanent change of station.

14 USC 472 - Education loan repayment program

(a)

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary may repay

(A) any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.);

(B) any loan made under part D of such title (the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, 20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.); or

Repayment of any such loan shall be made on the basis of each complete year of service performed by the borrower.

(2) The Secretary may repay loans described in paragraph (1) in the case of any person for service performed on active duty as an enlisted member of the Coast Guard in a specialty specified by the Secretary.

(b) The portion or amount of a loan that may be repaid under subsection (a) is 331/3 percent or $1,500, whichever is greater, for each year of service.

(c) If a portion of a loan is repaid under this section for any year, interest on the remainder of such loan shall accrue and be paid in the same manner as is otherwise required.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize refunding any repayment of a loan.

(e) The Secretary shall, by regulation, prescribe a schedule for the allocation of funds made available to carry out this section during any year for which funds are not sufficient to pay the sum of the amounts eligible for repayment under subsection (a).

14 USC 473 - Repealed. Pub. L. 97295, 2(15)(A), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1302]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, authorized Secretary to discharge underage Coast Guard enlisted personnel with appropriate pay and allowances, such persons to be given subsistence and transportation in kind to their homes. Opinion of the Comptroller General, No. B91297, Dec. 23, 1949, in holding that act Sept. 24, 1945, ch. 385, 59 Stat. 536, from which this section was derived, was superseded by section 303 of the Career Compensation Act of 1949, act Oct. 12, 1949, ch. 681, title III, 63 Stat. 813, stated that this section was also inconsistent with said section 303 and therefore repealed. See section 423 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

14 USC 474 - Repealed. Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1211, 5, 68 Stat. 1130]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, related to compensation for travel tolls and fares. See section 408 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

14 USC 475 - Leasing and hiring of quarters; rental of inadequate housing

(a) The Secretary is authorized to lease housing facilities at or near Coast Guard installations, wherever located, for assignment as public quarters to military personnel and their dependents, if any, without rental charge upon a determination by the Secretary, or his designee, that there is a lack of adequate housing facilities at or near such Coast Guard installations. The Secretary is also authorized to lease housing facilities for assignment as public quarters, without rental charge, to military personnel who are on sea duty or duty at remote offshore Coast Guard stations and who do not have dependents. Such authority shall be effective in any fiscal year only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts. When any such lease involves housing facilities in a foreign country, the lease may be made on a multiyear basis for a period not to exceed five years, and, in accordance with local custom and practice, advance payment may be made for the lease. Such public housing facilities may be leased on an individual or multiple-unit basis. Expenditures for the rental of such housing facilities may not exceed the average authorized for the Department of Defense in any year except where the Secretary finds that the average is so low as to prevent rental of necessary housing facilities in some areas, in which event he is authorized to reallocate existing funds to high-cost areas so that rental expenditures in such areas exceed the average authorized for the Department of Defense.

(b) The Secretary is authorized, subject to regulations approved by the President

(1) to designate as rental housing such housing as he may determine to be inadequate as public quarters; and

(2) to lease inadequate housing to members of the Coast Guard for occupancy by them and their dependents.

(c) Where sufficient quarters are not possessed by the United States, the Commandant may hire quarters for personnel, including personnel on sea duty at such times as they may be deprived of their quarters on board ship due to repairs or other conditions which may render them uninhabitable. Such accommodations shall not be available for occupancy by the dependents of such personnel.

14 USC 476 - Contingent expenses

The Commandant may expend for contingencies of the Coast Guard a sum not to exceed $50,000 in any one fiscal year.

14 USC 477 - Equipment to prevent accidents

The Coast Guard may make such expenditures as are deemed appropriate for promotion and maintenance of the safety and occupational health of, and the prevention of accidents affecting, personnel of the Coast Guard, including the purchase of clothing, equipment, and other materials necessary thereto.

14 USC 478 - Rations or commutation therefor in money

(a) Enlisted members of the Coast Guard, civilian officers and civilian crews of vessels, and working parties in the field shall be allowed a ration or commutation thereof in money, in such amount and under limitations and regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

(b) Money for commuted rations shall be paid, under such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, on proper vouchers, or pay rolls, to persons entitled to receive it, or to the officers designated by the Commandant to administer the financial affairs of the messes in which such persons may be subsisted.

(c) Money paid for commuted rations to the designated officer may be deposited in general or limited depositories of public money or in any bank in which deposits are insured. Such funds shall be expended and accounted for under such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe.

(d) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as modifying or changing in any manner the provisions of law pertaining to subsistence allowances for enlisted members, but no ration or commutation thereof shall be allowed a person receiving a subsistence allowance.

14 USC 479 - Sales of ration supplies to messes

Ration supplies may be purchased by the cabin, wardroom, warrant officers, and other authorized messes and payment therefor made in cash to the commissary officer. The prices to be charged for such supplies shall not be less than the invoice prices, and the cash received from such sales shall be accounted for on the ration return and may be expended for the general mess.

14 USC 480 - Flight rations

There may be furnished to officers, enlisted members, and civilian employees, while actually engaged in flight operations, an aircraft flight ration in kind, chargeable to the proper Coast Guard appropriation, which flight ration shall be supplementary to any ration or subsistence allowance now granted to such personnel. No part of an aircraft flight ration shall be furnished without cost to any person in a travel status or to any person to whom a per diem allowance is granted in lieu of actual subsistence.

14 USC 481 - Payments at time of discharge for good of service

Enlisted members discharged by dishonorable discharge, bad-conduct discharge, or any other discharge for the good of the service, may, upon discharge, be paid a sum not to exceed $25. The sum paid shall be fixed by and in the discretion of the Commandant, and shall be paid only in cases where the person so discharged would otherwise be without funds to meet his immediate needs.

14 USC 482 - Clothing at time of discharge for good of service

Enlisted members discharged for bad conduct, undesirability, unsuitability, or inaptitude may be furnished civilian clothing, including an overcoat when necessary, the cost of such furnished clothing not to exceed $30, per person.

14 USC 483 - Right to wear uniform

When authorized by and in accordance with applicable regulations:

(a) any member who has served honorably in the Coast Guard during war shall when not in active service, whether or not on the retired list, be entitled to bear the official title and upon occasions of ceremony to wear the uniform of the highest rank or rating held by him during his war service, and

(b) any member on the retired list shall be entitled to wear the uniform of his rank or rating.

14 USC 484 - Protection of uniform

The provisions of law relating to the protection of the uniform of the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps shall apply to the protection of the uniform of the Coast Guard, in the same manner, to the same extent, and under the same conditions.

14 USC 485 - Clothing for officers and enlisted personnel

(a) The Coast Guard may purchase uniforms, accouterments, and related equipment for sale to officer personnel and cadets of the Coast Guard.

(b) The Coast Guard may purchase uniform clothing for sale to enlisted personnel of the Coast Guard. The actual cost of the clothing thus sold to enlisted personnel may be withheld from their pay.

14 USC 486 - Clothing for destitute shipwrecked persons

The Coast Guard may furnish clothing and subsistence to destitute shipwrecked persons, and the Coast Guard may reimburse, in cash or in kind, Coast Guard personnel who furnish clothing and subsistence to destitute ship- wrecked persons.

14 USC 487 - Procurement and sale of stores to members and civilian employees

Such stores as the Secretary may designate may be procured and sold to members of the Coast Guard, and to the surviving spouses of such members. Such designated stores may also be procured and sold to civilian officers and employees of the United States, and to such other persons as may be specifically authorized by the Secretary, at Coast Guard stations and other units beyond the continental limits of the United States or in Alaska.

14 USC 488 - Advancement of public funds to personnel

The Commandant, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, may advance public funds to personnel when required to meet expenses of members detailed on emergency shore duty. Funds so advanced shall not exceed a reasonable estimate of the actual expenditures to be made and for which reimbursement is authorized by law.

14 USC 489 - Repealed. Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, title V, 502(8)(A), 70 Stat. 886]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 534, provided for payment of a death gratuity to survivors of officers and enlisted men of Regular Coast Guard. See sections 1475 to 1480 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

14 USC 490 - Repealed. Pub. L. 88558, 7(2), Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 768]

Section, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 1, 63 Stat. 534; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, 26, 64 Stat. 407; Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–738, § 1, 72 Stat. 832; Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, § 2, 79 Stat. 789, provided for settlement of claims of military and civilian personnel. See section 3721 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

14 USC 491 - Medal of honor

The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty

(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;

(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

14 USC 492 - Distinguished service medal

The President may present, but not in the name of Congress, a distinguished service medal of appropriate design, with accompanying ribbon, together with a rosette or other device, to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility.

14 USC 492a - Distinguished flying cross

The President may present, but not in the name of Congress, a distinguished flying cross of appropriate design, with accompanying ribbon, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.

14 USC 493 - Coast Guard medal

The President may present, but not in the name of Congress, a medal to be known as the Coast Guard medal, of appropriate design, with accompanying ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

14 USC 494 - Insignia for additional awards

No more than one medal of honor, distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross, or one Coast Guard medal shall be issued to any one person; but for each succeeding deed or service sufficient to justify the awarding of a medal of honor, distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross, or Coast Guard medal, the President may award a suitable emblem or insignia to be worn with the decoration and a corresponding rosette or other device.

14 USC 495 - Repealed. Pub. L. 87526, 1(3), July 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 141]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 535, related to additional pay for holders of medals.

14 USC 496 - Time limit on award; report concerning deed

(a) No medal of honor, distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross, Coast Guard medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof may be awarded to a person unless

(1) the award is made within five years after the date of the deed or service justifying the award;

(2) a statement setting forth the deed or distinguished service and recommending official recognition of it was made by his superior through official channels within three years from the date of that deed or termination of the service.

(b) If the Secretary determines that

(1) a statement setting forth the deed or distinguished service and recommending official recognition of it was made by the persons superior through official channels within three years from the date of that deed or termination of the service and was supported by sufficient evidence within that time; and

(2) no award was made, because the statement was lost or through inadvertence the recommendation was not acted upon; a medal of honor, distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross, Coast Guard medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof, as the case may be, may be awarded to the person within two years after the date of that determination.

14 USC 497 - Honorable subsequent service as condition to award

No medal of honor, distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross, Coast Guard medal, or emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof shall be awarded or presented to any individual, or to the representative of any individual, whose entire service subsequent to the time he distinguished himself shall not in the opinion of the Commandant have been honorable.

14 USC 498 - Posthumous awards

In case an individual who distinguishes himself dies before the making of any award to which he may be entitled, as authorized in this chapter, the award may be made and presented within five years from the date of the act or service justifying the award to such next of kin as may have been designated by the individual, or in the absence of such designation, or if the designated person is not alive at the time of the award, or the relationship between such person and the serviceman shall have been terminated before his death, then to such representative as the President designates. In the event of a posthumous award when the award will be made to the parents of the deceased and the parents have been divorced or separated, a duplicate award may be made to each parent.

14 USC 499 - Delegation of powers to make awards; rules and regulations

The President may delegate to the Secretary, under such conditions, regulations, and limitations as he prescribes, the powers conferred upon him to make the awards designated in this chapter, and the President may make any and all rules, regulations, and orders which he deems necessary in the conferring of such awards.

14 USC 500 - Life-saving medals

(a) The Secretary may, under regulations prescribed by him, award a Life-saving medal of gold or silver to any person, including personnel of the Coast Guard, who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of the water in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) if such rescue or attempted rescue is made at the risk of ones own life and evidences extreme and heroic daring, the medal shall be of gold;

(2) if such rescue or attempted rescue is not sufficiently distinguished to deserve the medal of gold, but evidences the exercise of such signal exertion as to merit recognition, the medal shall be of silver.

(b) In order for a person to be eligible for the Life-saving Medals the rescue or attempted rescue must take place in waters within the United States or subject to the jurisdiction thereof, or if the rescue or attempted rescue takes place outside such waters, one or the other of the parties must be a citizen of the United States or from a vessel or aircraft owned or operated by citizens of the United States.

(c) No person shall receive more than one gold medal and one silver medal; but any person who has received or may hereafter receive a gold or silver medal and who again performs an act which would entitle him to receive another medal of the same class may be awarded, in lieu of a second medal of the same class, a gold or silver bar, as the case may be, to be worn with the medal already bestowed, and for every such additional act, an additional bar may be awarded. Medals and bars in lieu thereof, authorized by this subsection, may be awarded posthumously.

14 USC 501 - Replacement of medals

In those cases where a medal, or a bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof, awarded pursuant to this chapter has been stolen, lost, destroyed, or rendered unfit for use without fault or neglect on the part of the person to whom it was awarded, such medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in lieu thereof, shall be replaced without charge, or, in the discretion of the Secretary, upon condition that the Government is reimbursed for the cost thereof.

14 USC 502 - Award of other medals

Coast Guard personnel, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, may be awarded medals, bars, emblems, or insignia to which such personnel may be entitled under other provisions of law.

14 USC 503 - Awards and insignia for excellence in service or conduct

The Coast Guard may award trophies, badges, and cash prizes to Coast Guard personnel or groups thereof, including personnel of the reserve components thereof whether or not on active duty, for excellence in accomplishments related to Coast Guard service, to incur such expenses as may be necessary to enter such personnel in competitions, and to provide badges or buttons in recognition of special service, good conduct, and discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.

14 USC 504 - Medal of honor: duplicate medal

A person awarded a medal of honor shall, upon written application of that person, be issued, without charge, one duplicate medal of honor with ribbons and appurtenances. Such duplicate medal of honor shall be marked, in such manner as the Secretary may determine, as a duplicate or for display purposes only.

14 USC 505 - Medal of honor: presentation of Medal of Honor Flag

The President shall provide for the presentation of the Medal of Honor Flag designated under section 903 of title 36 to each person to whom a medal of honor is awarded under section 491 of this title. Presentation of the flag shall be made at the same time as the presentation of the medal under section 491 or 498 of this title. In the case of a posthumous presentation of the medal, the flag shall be presented to the person to whom the medal is presented.

14 USC 506 - Repealed. July 15, 1954, ch. 507, 14(c)(5), 68 Stat. 481]

Section, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 537, related to the issue of the national flag to be used for draping the coffin of any deceased member of the Coast Guard. For provisions relating to recovery, care, and disposition of the remains of deceased personnel of the uniformed services and deceased civilian personnel, see section 1481 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

14 USC 507 - Disposition of effects of decedents

All moneys, articles of value, papers, keepsakes, and other similar effects belonging to the deceased persons in the Coast Guard, not claimed by their legal heirs or next of kin, shall be deposited in safe custody, and if any such moneys, articles of value, papers, keepsakes, or other similar effects so deposited have been, or shall hereafter be, unclaimed for a period of two years from the date of the death of such person, such articles and effects shall be sold and the proceeds thereof, together with the moneys above mentioned, shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The Secretary shall make diligent inquiry in every instance after the death of such person to ascertain the whereabouts of his heirs or next of kin, and prescribe necessary regulations to carry out the foregoing provisions. Claims may be presented hereunder at any time within five years after such moneys or proceeds have been so deposited in the Treasury, and, when supported by competent proof in any case after such deposit in the Treasury, shall be certified to Congress for consideration.

14 USC 508 - Deserters; payment of expenses incident to apprehension and delivery; penalties

(a) The Coast Guard may, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, make such expenditures as are deemed necessary for the apprehension and delivery of deserters, stragglers, and prisoners.

(b) No person who is convicted by court martial for desertion from the Coast Guard in time of war, and as the result of such conviction is dismissed or dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard shall afterwards be enlisted, appointed, or commissioned in any military or naval service under the United States, unless the disability resulting from desertion, as established by this section is removed by a board of commissioned officers of the Coast Guard convened for consideration of the case, and the action of the Board is approved by the Secretary; or unless he is restored to duty in time of war.

14 USC 509 - Persons discharged as result of court-martial; allowances to

The Secretary may furnish persons discharged pursuant to the sentence of a Coast Guard court-martial suitable civilian clothing and a monetary allowance not to exceed $25 if the person discharged would not otherwise have suitable clothing or funds to meet immediate needs.

14 USC 510 - Shore patrol duty; payment of expenses

An officer or cadet of the Coast Guard who is assigned shore patrol duty away from his vessel or other duty station may be paid his actual expenses.

14 USC 511 - Compensatory absence from duty for military personnel at isolated duty stations

The Secretary may grant compensatory absence from duty to military personnel of the Coast Guard serving at isolated duty stations of the Coast Guard when conditions of duty result in confinement because of isolation or in long periods of continuous duty.

14 USC 512 - Monetary allowance for transportation of household effects

The transportation and reimbursement authorized by subsection (b) of section 406 of title 37 shall be available hereafter to pay a monetary allowance in place of such transportation to a member who, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, participates in a program designated by the Secretary in which his baggage and household effects are moved by a privately owned or rental vehicle. This allowance shall not be limited to reimbursement for actual expenses and may be paid in advance of the transportation of the baggage and household effects. The allowance shall, however, be in an amount that will result in savings to the Government when the total cost of the movement of baggage and household effects is compared with the cost that otherwise would have been incurred under subsection (b) of section 406 of title 37.

14 USC 513 - Retroactive payment of pay and allowances delayed by administrative error or oversight

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Coast Guard may authorize retroactive payment of pay and allowances, including selective reenlistment bonuses, to enlisted members if entitlement to the pay and allowances was delayed in vesting solely because of an administrative error or oversight.

14 USC 514 - Reimbursement for adoption expenses

(a) Authorization To Reimburse.—
The Secretary shall carry out a program under which a member of the Coast Guard may be reimbursed, as provided in this section, for qualifying adoption expenses incurred by the member in the adoption of a child under 18 years of age.

(b) Adoptions Covered.—
An adoption for which expenses may be reimbursed under this section includes an adoption by a single person, an infant adoption, an intercountry adoption, and an adoption of a child with special needs (as defined in section 473(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673 (c))).

(c) Benefits Paid After Adoption Is Final.—
Benefits paid under this section in the case of an adoption may be paid only after the adoption is final.

(d) Treatment of Other Benefits.—
A benefit may not be paid under this section for any expense paid to or for a member of the Coast Guard under any other adoption benefits program administered by the Federal Government or under any such program administered by a State or local government.

(e) Limitations.—

(1) Not more than $2,000 may be paid under this section to a member of the Coast Guard, or to two such members who are spouses of each other, for expenses incurred in the adoption of a child.

(2) Not more than $5,000 may be paid under this section to a member of the Coast Guard, or to two such members who are spouses of each other, for adoptions by such member (or members) in any calendar year.

(f) Regulations.—
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.

(g) Definitions.—
In this section:

(1) The term qualifying adoption expenses means reasonable and necessary expenses that are directly related to the legal adoption of a child under 18 years of age, but only if such adoption is arranged by a qualified adoption agency. Such term does not include any expense incurred

(A) by an adopting parent for travel; or

(B) in connection with an adoption arranged in violation of Federal, State, or local law.

(2) The term reasonable and necessary expenses includes

(A) public and private agency fees, including adoption fees charged by an agency in a foreign country;

(B) placement fees, including fees charged adoptive parents for counseling;

(C) legal fees (including court costs) in connection with services that are unavailable to a member of the Coast Guard under section 1044 or 1044a of title 10; and

(D) medical expenses, including hospital expenses of the biological mother of the child to be adopted and of a newborn infant to be adopted.

(3) The term qualified adoption agency means any of the following:

(A) A State or local government agency which has responsibility under State or local law for child placement through adoption.

(B) A nonprofit">nonprofit, voluntary adoption agency which is authorized by State or local law to place children for adoption.

(C) Any other source authorized by a State to provide adoption placement if the adoption is supervised by a court under State or local law.

14 USC 515 - Child development services

(a) The Commandant may make child development services available for members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard, and thereafter as space is available for members of the Armed Forces and Federal civilian employees. Child development service benefits provided under the authority of this section shall be in addition to benefits provided under other laws.

(b)

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Commandant may require that amounts received as fees for the provision of services under this section at Coast Guard child development centers be used only for compensation of employees at those centers who are directly involved in providing child care.

(2) If the Commandant determines that compliance with the limitation in paragraph (1) would result in an uneconomical and inefficient use of such fee receipts, the Commandant may (to the extent that such compliance would be uneconomical and inefficient) use such receipts

(A) for the purchase of consumable or disposable items for Coast Guard child development centers; and

(B) if the requirements of such centers for consumable or disposable items for a given fiscal year have been met, for other expenses of those centers.

(c) The Commandant shall provide for regular and unannounced inspections of each child development center under this section and may use Department of Defense or other training programs to ensure that all child development center employees under this section meet minimum standards of training with respect to early childhood development, activities and disciplinary techniques appropriate to children of different ages, child abuse prevention and detection, and appropriate emergency medical procedures.

(d) Of the amounts available to the Coast Guard each fiscal year for operating expenses (and in addition to amounts received as fees), the Secretary may use for child development services under this section an amount not to exceed the total amount the Commandant estimates will be received by the Coast Guard in the fiscal year as fees for the provision of those services.

(e) The Commandant may use appropriated funds available to the Coast Guard to provide assistance to family home day care providers so that family home day care services can be provided to uniformed service members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard at a cost comparable to the cost of services provided by Coast Guard child development centers.

(f) The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this section. The regulations shall establish fees to be charged for child development services provided under this section which take into consideration total family income.

(g) For purposes of this section, the term child development center does not include a child care services facility for which space is allotted under section 616 of the Act of December 22, 1987 (40 U.S.C. 490b).

14 USC 516 - Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

(a) Presentation of Flag.—
Upon the release of a member of the Coast Guard from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall present a United States flag to the member.

(b) Multiple Presentations Not Authorized.—
A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member has previously been presented a flag under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement.

14 USC 517 - Travel card management

(a) In General.—
The Secretary may require that travel or transportation allowances due a civilian employee or military member of the Coast Guard be disbursed directly to the issuer of a Federal contractor-issued travel charge card, but only in an amount not to exceed the authorized travel expenses charged by that Coast Guard member to that travel charge card issued to that employee or member.

(b) Withholding of Nondisputed Obligations.—
The Secretary may also establish requirements similar to those established by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 2784a of title 10 for deduction or withholding of pay or retired pay from a Coast Guard employee, member, or retired member who is delinquent in payment under the terms of the contract under which the card was issued and does not dispute the amount of the delinquency.