Gift Rules Changing for Wounded Troops

A provision in the fiscal 2006 Defense Authorization Act directed the Defense Department to OK gifts to wounded troops from individuals and nonprofit organizations, excluding foreign governments and their agents. Under the provision, service members with combat-related injuries or illnesses incurred in designated combat zones or operations can accept such gifts. The problem surfaced on Sept. 27 when Walter Reed officials told representatives of some 20 charities that troops could not accept donations of more than $20 without legal and ethics review. Before the law was changed, service members were forbidden from accepting gifts worth more than $20 from sources such as contractors, or which were given because of their official position. Those regulations were not new, but some charities were unaware of their existence. The new law is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001 and the regulations are expected to be in place by March 31.