§709a. Expenses incurred in connection with leave canceled due to contingency operations: reimbursement

(a) Authorization To Reimburse.-The Secretary concerned may reimburse a member of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for travel and related expenses (to the extent not otherwise reimbursable under law) incurred by the member as a result of the cancellation of previously approved leave when-

(1) the leave is canceled in connection with the member's participation in a contingency operation; and

(2) the cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the time the leave would have commenced.

(b) Regulations.-The Secretary of Defense and, in the case of the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to establish the criteria for the applicability of subsection (a).

(c) Conclusiveness of Settlement.-The settlement of an application for reimbursement under subsection (a) is final and conclusive.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §522(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2115 .)