Navy Shares Vets' Health Secrets – For Science?
Published Date: 4/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Navy is updating its records system that tracks health info of service members and veterans for long-term research. They’re changing the system’s name, expanding its purpose, and allowing more info sharing outside the Department of Defense. These updates take effect now, but the public can comment on info-sharing rules until June 1, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Expanded Data Sharing Outside DoD
The Navy is expanding routine disclosures so records from the Millennium Cohort Program can be shared outside the Department of Defense with contractors, grantees, other Federal agencies, State and local authorities, foreign entities, law enforcement, and others listed in routine uses A through K. These changes are effective upon publication (April 30, 2026) and comments on the Routine Uses are accepted through June 1, 2026.
Long-Term Record Retention Rules
Signed original paper consent forms and electronic records are permanent and are transferred to a Federal Records Center at 5 years and to the National Archives and Records Administration at 20 years. Temporary supporting records are transferred to an FRC at 5 years and destroyed at 10 years.
System Expanded To Include Families and Youth
The system name is changed to "Millennium Cohort Program Records" and the Purpose and Categories of Individuals are expanded to explicitly include military spouses, child dependents, and adolescents (SOAR), with enrollment and follow-up periods described (e.g., panels enrolled in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2020, and 2021 and follow-up through at least 2068 for many cohorts).
Commercial Databases Used As Sources
The system will obtain records from commercial sources such as TransUnion and LexisNexis, in addition to federal and state databases. This means personal data for cohort participants may be supplemented with information from these commercial databases.
PHI Sharing for Research With Safeguards
The notice states this system contains protected health information (PHI) and allows sharing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, HHS, and CDC for scientific and medical analyses, but only with prior Naval Health Research Center IRB approval and a required Memorandum of Understanding. Disclosures to those agencies must follow HIPAA rules (45 CFR parts 160 and 164), minimization, and other privacy requirements.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09485 — Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of the Navy is updating its Camp Lejeune Notification Database to better reach people who lived or worked at the base between 1953 and 1987 and might have been exposed to contaminated water. About 3,000 folks will be asked to provide info, which takes just 6 minutes each. Comments on this update are open until June 12, 2026, helping the Navy keep everyone informed and safe without costing extra money.
2026-08312 — Proposed Collection; Comment Request
The Department of the Navy wants to keep collecting info about military housing help and is asking the public to share their thoughts by June 29, 2026. This helps make sure the info collected is useful and not too much work for people. If you’re connected to military housing or just curious, now’s the time to speak up!
2026-08295 — Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of the Navy wants to collect feedback from runners and study the economic impact of the Marine Corps Marathon and Historic Half races. This new survey plan affects about 3,400 participants and helps improve future events while showing how these races benefit the community. Comments on this plan are open until May 29, 2026, and the surveys will take just a few minutes to complete.
2025-12305 — Recission of Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The Department of the Navy is canceling its old rules for following the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) because the main rules they supported were also canceled. Instead, the Department of Defense is creating new, updated NEPA procedures that the Navy will follow. This change affects Navy projects and invites public feedback, with no immediate cost changes announced.
2026-08296 — Proposed Collection; Comment Request
The Navy wants your thoughts on a new survey for the Columbia Class Program workforce. They’re checking if the survey is useful, clear, and not too much work for people to fill out. You’ve got until June 29, 2026, to share your ideas—no money changes, just making sure the survey works well for everyone involved.
2026-06219 — Proposed Collection; Comment Request
The Navy wants your thoughts on a new survey about shipbuilding workers to make sure it’s useful and easy to fill out. If you work in or know about the shipbuilding industry, your feedback can help shape this info collection. Comments are open until June 1, 2026, and the Navy aims to keep the process quick and simple without costing you extra time or money.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08429 — Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is checking in with the public and businesses to make sure its paperwork isn’t too tricky or time-consuming. They want your thoughts on how to keep info collection useful, clear, and easy—especially for small businesses. Comments are due by June 29, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to help shape smarter rules that save time and hassle!
Next: 2026-08434 — GCM Grosvenor Private Equity Capital Opportunities Fund and GCM Grosvenor Wealth L.P.
GCM Grosvenor’s Private Equity Capital Opportunities Fund and Wealth L.P. want permission to pay their investment advisors with company shares instead of cash. This change could affect investors and advisors by mixing up how fees are handled, starting soon unless someone asks for a hearing by May 26, 2026. It’s a fresh twist on fees that might impact how money flows in these funds.