; and (ii) ends 180 days after the date of the permanent change of station. (B) The regulations prescribed pursuant to this section may provide for a shortening or lengthening of the covered relocation period of a member for purposes of this section. (2) Dependent The term dependent has the meaning given that term in section 401 of this title. (3) Permanent change of station The term permanent change of station means a permanent change of station described in section 452(b)(2) of this title. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 403 the following new item: 403a. Housing treatment for certain members of the armed forces, and their spouses and other dependents,undergoing a permanent change of station within the United States. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2018. 557. Direct hire authority for Department of Defense for childcare services providers for Department child development centers (a) In general The Secretary of Defense may, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, recruit and appoint qualified childcare services providers to positions within the Department of Defense child development centers. (b) Regulations The Secretary shall carry out this section in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this section. (c) Deadline for implementation The Secretary shall prescribe the regulations required by subsection (b), and commence implementation of subsection (a), by not later than May 1, 2018. (d) Childcare services provider defined In this section, the term childcare services provider means a person who provides childcare services for dependent children of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense in child development centers on Department installations. 558. Report on expanding and contracting for childcare services of the