LaLota and Panetta Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Children of Fallen Service Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reps. Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), both Navy Veterans, introduced the bicameral and bipartisan Gold Star Children Education Act. This common sense and critical legislation would make dependents of Armed Forces members who died while serving on active duty eligible for enrollment in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools on a tuition-free, space-available basis.

"As a Navy Veteran, I understand firsthand the sacrifices that military families make every day — sacrifices that are even more profound for Gold Star Families who have suffered the ultimate loss. My bipartisan Gold Star Children Education Act aims to honor the legacy of our fallen Service Members by ensuring their loved ones receive the support they need, including access to DoD schools," said LaLota. "Studies have shown that access to quality schools on military installations significantly enhances the quality of life for military families. We must ensure that Gold Star children can remain in familiar military communities, where they can grieve and heal with the support of experienced professionals. These families have paid the ultimate price for our country, and providing this support is the very least we can do to honor their sacrifice."

“As a nation, we have an obligation to support the families of our fallen servicemembers,” said Panetta. “The Gold Star Children Education Act ensures that children of the fallen can access Department of Defense schools, giving them a stable, supportive community as they navigate forward from the tragic loss of a parent. This bipartisan, bicameral bill honors the sacrifice of our Gold Star families by providing their children with the resources their children need to succeed.”

To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.

Background:

Earlier this week, Congressman LaLota met with Gold Star families in Washington, D.C., through the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a national nonprofit providing compassionate care and resources for those grieving the death of a military or veteran family member. A Gold Star Family refers to the immediate relatives of a service member who died while serving in a conflict, a term that originated during World War I. Families would place a gold star over the blue star on a service flag to signify the loss of a loved one in service, symbolizing both their pride and grief.

Among those present at the meeting was a Long Islander and the surviving spouse of Army Major Gronenthal, who graciously shared her story and discussed legislative issues related to Gold Star families.

This bill is the House companion to S. 4721, introduced by Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

The Gold Star Children Education Act will allow dependents of fallen service members to enroll in DoDEA schools without requiring them to meet traditional eligibility criteria, such as location or prior enrollment. These students will be able to attend schools tuition-free, on a space-available basis. This bill complements ongoing efforts to support military families, ensuring that the children of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are not left behind.

The DoDEA manages 160 schools globally, providing K-12 education to the children of active duty servicemembers residing on military installations. Military families frequently cite the availability of schools on installations as positively impacting their quality of life, but Gold Star children are not currently eligible to enroll in the schools after the death of a parent who served.

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