A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, to codify and clarify gender neutral standards for members of certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
What this bill does
This bill, S. 5189, aims to codify and clarify gender-neutral standards for members of certain U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, it would prohibit excluding a member from an occupational specialty, career field, or assignment based on their gender. It also proposes changes to occupational standards, requiring them to be based on scientifically rigorous processes and including technical, tactical, cognitive, or physical abilities. The bill would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress detailing changes to occupational standards and information on involuntary reclassifications or separations, disaggregated by military occupational specialty and gender.
The bill affects members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force by removing gender as a basis for exclusion from assignments and standard-setting. It also requires greater transparency and reporting from the Department of Defense regarding occupational standards and personnel actions. Additionally, it mandates the submission and review of a specific report on the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units.
This bill was introduced in the Senate on July 30, 2026, by Senator Mazie Hirono and has been referred to the Committee on Armed Services. As it has just been introduced, it has not yet passed any legislative body.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from excluding an individual from military positions or assignments based on gender. It also limits changes to DOD occupational performance standards that address gender neutrality.
First, the bill prohibits the exclusion of members of the Armed Forces from an occupational specialty, career field, or assignment on the basis of gender.
Next, it prohibits DOD from changing an occupational performance standard to increase or decrease the number of individuals in a career field on the basis of gender. (Currently, this prohibition only applies to increasing or decreasing the number of women.)
DOD must also apply occupational standards related to technical, tactical, cognitive, or physical abilities on a gender-neutral basis for positions that require such standards and must determine any such standards after a rigorous scientific process.
In situations where DOD establishes or revises a physical requirement for a military position, a member serving satisfactorily in such a position must be provided at least 18 months to meet the new standard.
Finally, DOD must notify Congress of any proposed changes to the gender-neutral occupational standards for a military position that may result in at least a 10% change in the number of members of any gender who are assigned to or enter that position. (Currently, such notice is required only with respect to a change in the number of female members.) DOD must provide the congressional defense committees with a report on the proposed change, estimated costs, and justification for the change.
Timeline
30 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Common questions
- What does S. 5189 do?
- This bill, S. 5189, aims to codify and clarify gender-neutral standards for members of certain U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, it would prohibit excluding a member from an occupational specialty, career field, or assignment based on their gender. It also proposes changes to occupational standards, requiring them to be based on scientifically rigorous processes and including technical, tactical, cognitive, or physical abilities. The bill would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress detailing changes to occupational standards and information on involuntary reclassifications or separations, disaggregated by military occupational specialty and gender. The bill affects members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force by removing gender as a basis for exclusion from assignments and standard-setting. It also requires greater transparency and reporting from the Department of Defense regarding occupational standards and personnel actions. Additionally, it mandates the submission and review of a specific report on the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. This bill was introduced in the Senate on July 30, 2026, by Senator Mazie Hirono and has been referred to the Committee on Armed Services. As it has just been introduced, it has not yet passed any legislative body.
- Has S. 5189 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5189. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5189?
- S. 5189 was sponsored by Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI), with 26 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5189?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (30 Jul 2026).
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