(a)  Authority.⁠—A covered official may treat a covered relative of a covered employee under the jurisdiction of that covered official in the same manner the Secretary of a military department treats, under section 481f(d) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 37, next of kin and family members of a member of the armed forces who dies while located or serving overseas.

(b)  Definitions.⁠—In this section:

(1)  The term “covered employee” means a civilian employee⁠—

(A)  under the jurisdiction of a covered official; and

(B)  who dies while located or serving overseas.

(2)  The term “covered official” means⁠—

(A)  the Secretary of the military department concerned; and

(B)  the head of a Defense Agency or Department of Defense Field Activity.

(3)  The term “covered relative” means⁠—

(A)  the primary next of kin of the covered employee;

(B)  two family members (other than primary next of kin) of the covered employee; and

(C)  one or more additional family members of the covered employee, at the discretion of the Secretary a sibling of the covered employee.