SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

§3911. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) Servicemember

The term "servicemember" means a member of the uniformed services, as that term is defined in section 101(a)(5) of title 10.

(2) Military service

The term "military service" means—

(A) in the case of a servicemember who is a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard—

(i) active duty, as defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 10, and

(ii) in the case of a member of the National Guard, includes service under a call to active service authorized by the President or the Secretary of Defense for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under section 502(f) of title 32 for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds;

(B) in the case of a servicemember who is a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, active service; and

(C) any period during which a servicemember is absent from duty on account of sickness, wounds, leave, or other lawful cause.

(3) Period of military service

The term "period of military service" means the period beginning on the date on which a servicemember enters military service and ending on the date on which the servicemember is released from military service or dies while in military service.

(4) Dependent

The term "dependent", with respect to a servicemember, means—

(A) the servicemember's spouse;

(B) the servicemember's child (as defined in section 101(4) of title 38); or

(C) an individual for whom the servicemember provided more than one-half of the individual's support for 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under this chapter.

(5) Court

The term "court" means a court or an administrative agency of the United States or of any State (including any political subdivision of a State), whether or not a court or administrative agency of record.

(6) State

The term "State" includes—

(A) a commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and

(B) the District of Columbia.

(7) Secretary concerned

The term "Secretary concerned"—

(A) with respect to a member of the armed forces, has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10;

(B) with respect to a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, means the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and

(C) with respect to a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, means the Secretary of Commerce.

(8) Motor vehicle

The term "motor vehicle" has the meaning given that term in section 30102(a)(6) of title 49.¹

(9) Judgment

The term "judgment" means any judgment, decree, order, or ruling, final or temporary.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §101, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2836; amended Pub. L. 108–454, title VII, §701, Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3624; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, §1742(c)(1), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 681.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 30102(a)(6) of title 49, referred to in par. (8), was redesignated section 30102(a)(7) of title 49 by Pub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, §24109(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1706.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 511 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 101 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, 54 Stat. 1179; Pub. L. 92–540, title V, §504(1), Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1098; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(1), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 38; Pub. L. 107–330, title III, §305, Dec. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 2826, related to definitions, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Amendments

2023—Par. (2)(A). Pub. L. 118–31 inserted "Space Force," after "Marine Corps," in introductory provisions.

2004—Par. (9). Pub. L. 108–454 added par. (9).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§3912. Jurisdiction and applicability of chapter

(a) Jurisdiction

This chapter applies to—

(1) the United States;

(2) each of the States, including the political subdivisions thereof; and

(3) all territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(b) Applicability to proceedings

This chapter applies to any judicial or administrative proceeding commenced in any court or agency in any jurisdiction subject to this chapter. This chapter does not apply to criminal proceedings.

(c) Court in which application may be made

When under this chapter any application is required to be made to a court in which no proceeding has already been commenced with respect to the matter, such application may be made to any court which would otherwise have jurisdiction over the matter.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §102, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2837.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 512 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 102 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, 54 Stat. 1179; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(2), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 39, related to territorial application, jurisdiction of courts, and form of procedure, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3913. Protection of persons secondarily liable

(a) Extension of protection when actions stayed, postponed, or suspended

Whenever pursuant to this chapter a court stays, postpones, or suspends (1) the enforcement of an obligation or liability, (2) the prosecution of a suit or proceeding, (3) the entry or enforcement of an order, writ, judgment, or decree, or (4) the performance of any other act, the court may likewise grant such a stay, postponement, or suspension to a surety, guarantor, endorser, accommodation maker, comaker, or other person who is or may be primarily or secondarily subject to the obligation or liability the performance or enforcement of which is stayed, postponed, or suspended.

(b) Vacation or set-aside of judgments

When a judgment or decree is vacated or set aside, in whole or in part, pursuant to this chapter, the court may also set aside or vacate, as the case may be, the judgment or decree as to a surety, guarantor, endorser, accommodation maker, comaker, or other person who is or may be primarily or secondarily liable on the contract or liability for the enforcement of the judgment or decree.

(c) Bail bond not to be enforced during period of military service

A court may not enforce a bail bond during the period of military service of the principal on the bond when military service prevents the surety from obtaining the attendance of the principal. The court may discharge the surety and exonerate the bail, in accordance with principles of equity and justice, during or after the period of military service of the principal.

(d) Waiver of rights

(1) Waivers not precluded

This chapter does not prevent a waiver in writing by a surety, guarantor, endorser, accommodation maker, comaker, or other person (whether primarily or secondarily liable on an obligation or liability) of the protections provided under subsections (a) and (b). Any such waiver is effective only if it is executed as an instrument separate from the obligation or liability with respect to which it applies.

(2) Waiver invalidated upon entrance to military service

If a waiver under paragraph (1) is executed by an individual who after the execution of the waiver enters military service, or by a dependent of an individual who after the execution of the waiver enters military service, the waiver is not valid after the beginning of the period of such military service unless the waiver was executed by such individual or dependent during the period specified in section 3917 of this title.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §103, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2838.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 513 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 103 of acts Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, 54 Stat. 1179; Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §§2, 3, 56 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 102–12, §9(3), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 39, related to protection of persons secondarily liable, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3914. Extension of protections to citizens serving with allied forces

A citizen of the United States who is serving with the forces of a nation with which the United States is allied in the prosecution of a war or military action is entitled to the relief and protections provided under this chapter if that service with the allied force is similar to military service as defined in this chapter. The relief and protections provided to such citizen shall terminate on the date of discharge or release from such service.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §104, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2839.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 514 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 104 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, as added Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §4, 56 Stat. 770, related to extension of benefits to citizens serving with forces of war allies, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3915. Notification of benefits

The Secretary concerned shall ensure that notice of the benefits accorded by this chapter is provided in writing to persons in military service and to persons entering military service.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §105, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2839.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 515 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 105 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, as added Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §4, 56 Stat. 770; amended Pub. L. 102–12, §9(4), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 39, related to notice of benefits to persons in and persons entering military service, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3916. Information for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents on rights and protections of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

(a) Outreach to members

The Secretary concerned shall provide to each member of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary pertinent information on the rights and protections available to members and their dependents under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act [50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.].

(b) Time of provision

The information required to be provided under subsection (a) to a member shall be provided at the following times:

(1) During the initial orientation training of the member.

(2) In the case of a member of a reserve component, during the initial orientation training of the member and when the member is mobilized or otherwise individually called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than one year.

(3) At such other times as the Secretary concerned considers appropriate.

(c) Outreach to dependents

The Secretary concerned may provide to the adult dependents of members under the jurisdiction of the Secretary pertinent information on the rights and protections available to members and their dependents under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act [50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.].

(d) Definitions

In this section, the terms "dependent" and "Secretary concerned" have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act [50 U.S.C. 3911].

(Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §690, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3337.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c), is act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, 54 Stat. 1178, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 3901 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 515a of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Section was enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, and not as part of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act which comprises this chapter.

§3917. Extension of rights and protections to reserves ordered to report for military service and to persons ordered to report for induction

(a) Reserves ordered to report for military service

A member of a reserve component who is ordered to report for military service is entitled to the rights and protections of this subchapter and subchapters II and III during the period beginning on the date of the member's receipt of the order and ending on the date on which the member reports for military service (or, if the order is revoked before the member so reports, or the date on which the order is revoked).

(b) Persons ordered to report for induction

A person who has been ordered to report for induction under the Military Selective Service Act [50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.] is entitled to the rights and protections provided a servicemember under this subchapter and subchapters II and III during the period beginning on the date of receipt of the order for induction and ending on the date on which the person reports for induction (or, if the order to report for induction is revoked before the date on which the person reports for induction, on the date on which the order is revoked).

(c) Member of the Space Force ordered to report for military service

The provisions of subsection (a) apply to a member of the Space Force who is ordered to report for military service in the same manner as to a member of a reserve component who is ordered to report for military service.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §106, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2839; amended Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, §1742(c)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 681.)

Termination of Induction for Training and Service

For provisions relating to termination of induction for training and service in the Armed Forces after July 1, 1973, see section 3815(c) of this title.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Military Selective Service Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 24, 1948, ch. 625, 62 Stat. 604. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under section 3801 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 516 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 106 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, as added Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §4, 56 Stat. 770; amended Pub. L. 102–12, §9(5), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 39, related to extension of benefits to persons ordered to report for induction or military service, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–31 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3918. Waiver of rights pursuant to written agreement

(a) In general

A servicemember may waive any of the rights and protections provided by this chapter. Any such waiver that applies to an action listed in subsection (b) of this section is effective only if it is in writing and is executed as an instrument separate from the obligation or liability to which it applies. In the case of a waiver that permits an action described in subsection (b), the waiver is effective only if made pursuant to a written agreement of the parties that is executed during or after the servicemember's period of military service. The written agreement shall specify the legal instrument to which the waiver applies and, if the servicemember is not a party to that instrument, the servicemember concerned.

(b) Actions requiring waivers in writing

The requirement in subsection (a) for a written waiver applies to the following:

(1) The modification, termination, or cancellation of—

(A) a contract, lease, or bailment; or

(B) an obligation secured by a mortgage, trust, deed, lien, or other security in the nature of a mortgage.

(2) The repossession, retention, foreclosure, sale, forfeiture, or taking possession of property that—

(A) is security for any obligation; or

(B) was purchased or received under a contract, lease, or bailment.

(c) Prominent display of certain contract rights waivers

Any waiver in writing of a right or protection provided by this chapter that applies to a contract, lease, or similar legal instrument must be in at least 12 point type.

(d) Coverage of periods after orders received

For the purposes of this section—

(1) a person to whom section 3917 of this title applies shall be considered to be a servicemember; and

(2) the period with respect to such a person specified in subsection (a) or (b), as the case may be, of section 3917 of this title shall be considered to be a period of military service.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §107, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2839; amended Pub. L. 108–454, title VII, §702, Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3624.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 517 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 107 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, as added Oct. 6, 1942, ch. 581, §4, 56 Stat. 770, related to effect on rights and remedies pursuant to written agreements entered after commencement of military service, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–454, §702(1), inserted after first sentence: "Any such waiver that applies to an action listed in subsection (b) of this section is effective only if it is in writing and is executed as an instrument separate from the obligation or liability to which it applies."

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 108–454, §702(2), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3919. Exercise of rights under chapter not to affect certain future financial transactions

Application by a servicemember for, or receipt by a servicemember of, a stay, postponement, or suspension pursuant to this chapter in the payment of a tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, or other civil obligation or liability of that servicemember shall not itself (without regard to other considerations) provide the basis for any of the following:

(1) A determination by a lender or other person that the servicemember is unable to pay the civil obligation or liability in accordance with its terms.

(2) With respect to a credit transaction between a creditor and the servicemember—

(A) a denial or revocation of credit by the creditor;

(B) a change by the creditor in the terms of an existing credit arrangement; or

(C) a refusal by the creditor to grant credit to the servicemember in substantially the amount or on substantially the terms requested.

(3) An adverse report relating to the creditworthiness of the servicemember by or to a person engaged in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information.

(4) A refusal by an insurer to insure the servicemember.

(5) An annotation in a servicemember's record by a creditor or a person engaged in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information, identifying the servicemember as a member of the National Guard or a reserve component or as a member of the Space Force.

(6) A change in the terms offered or conditions required for the issuance of insurance.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §108, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2840; amended Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, §1742(c)(3), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 681.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 518 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 108 of act Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, art. I, as added Pub. L. 102–12, §7, Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 38, related to the effect of certain future financial transactions on the exercise of rights, prior to the general amendment of this Act by Pub. L. 108–189.

Amendments

2023—Par. (5). Pub. L. 118–31 inserted "or as a member of the Space Force" before period at end.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.

§3920. Legal representatives

(a) Representative

A legal representative of a servicemember for purposes of this chapter is either of the following:

(1) An attorney acting on the behalf of a servicemember.

(2) An individual possessing a power of attorney.

(b) Application

Whenever the term "servicemember" is used in this chapter, such term shall be treated as including a reference to a legal representative of the servicemember.

(Oct. 17, 1940, ch. 888, title I, §109, as added Pub. L. 108–189, §1, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2840.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 519 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to any case not final before Dec. 19, 2003, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–189, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.