1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Family Support and Installation Access Act of 2017 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Since World War I, the gold star symbol has been used by American families to honor members of the Armed Forces who have given their lives in service to the Nation. (2) Surviving families of deceased members of the Armed Forces confront many challenges, often made worse by policies that fail to compassionately honor the memory of their loved one’s service and sacrifice to the Nation. (3) There is an obligation to ensure that the Gold Star family connections to the military community remain an eternal bond providing strength and comfort to surviving family members and to those still serving. (4) Individual military services have recognized the need to provide installation access to Gold Star families to attend memorial events, visit gravesites, and access other benefits for which family members are eligible and entitled. (5) Surviving families of deceased members of the Armed Forces relocate to other parts of the country, often far away from the service installation where their loved one last served. (6) Current Department of Defense policy rescinds on-base benefits to surviving spouses of deceased service members who remarry, even when dependent children under the guardianship of the surviving spouse remain eligible for benefits, effectively rendering these benefits inaccessible by the children of the deceased member. 3. Issuance of Gold Star Installation Access Cards (a) Issuance and conditions on use (1) In general Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1126 the following new section: 1126a. Gold Star Installation Access Card: issuance and protections (a) Issuance to Gold Star surviving spouse and dependent children of deceased member required The Secretary concerned shall provide for the issuance of a standardized Gold Star Installation Access Card to the widow and dependent children of a deceased member of