Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 3.djvu/220

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112 STAT. 2050 PUBLIC LAW 105-261—OCT. 17, 1998 "(A) dies as a retired member of an armed force under the Secretary jurisdiction during a continuous hospitalization of the member as a patient in a United States hospital that began while the member was on active duty for a period of more than 30 days; or "(B) is not covered by subparagraph (A) and, while in a retired status by reason of eligibility to retire under chapter 61 of this title, dies during a continuous hospitalization of the person that began while the person was on active duty as a Regular of an armed force under the Secretary's jurisdiction.". (b) REPEAL OF OBSOLETE TERMINOLOGY.—Paragraph (1) of such section is amended by striking out ", or a member of an armed force without component,". 10 USC 1481 (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— The amendment made by subsection (a) note. applies with respect to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 646. REVISION TO COMPUTATION OF RETIRED PAY FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS. Section 1406(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): "(2) EXCEPTION FOR MEMBERS REDUCED IN GRADE OR WHO DO NOT SERVE SATISFACTORILY.— Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of a member who, while or after serving in a position specified in that paragraph and by reason of conduct occurring on or after the date of the enactment of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999— "(A) in the case of an enlisted member, is reduced in grade as the result of a court-martial sentence, nonjudicial punishment, or other administrative process; or "(B) in the case an officer, is not certified by the Secretary of Defense under section 1370(c) of this title as having served on active duty satisfactorily in the grade of general or admiral, as the case may be, while serving in that position.". SEC. 647. ELIMINATION OF BACKLOG OF UNPAID RETIRED PAY. (a) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of the Army shall take such actions as are necessary to eliminate, by December 31, 1998, the backlog of unpaid retired pay for members and former members of the Army (including members and former members of the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard). (b) REPORT. —Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to Congress a report on the backlog of unpaid retired pay. The report shall include the following: (1) The actions taken under subsection (a). (2) The extent of the remaining backlog. (3) A discussion of any additional actions that are necessary to ensure that retired pay is paid in a timely manner.