Victims Protection Act of 2013
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in senate (Nov 21, 2013)
Victims Protection Act of 2013 - Revises or adds provisions concerning sexual assault prevention and response programs and activities within the Department of Defense (DOD), including provisions concerning:
- a prohibition on service within the Armed Forces by individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses;
- the inclusion of information on sexual-related offenses within military service records;
- increased responsibilities within DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office;
- review of the adequacy of training for members of the Armed Forces (members) on sexual assault prevention and response;
- programs for the provision of a Special Victims' Counsel for victims of sexual assault;
- commanding officer responsibilities and actions with respect to sexual offenses involving members;
- the investigation of allegations of retaliatory personnel actions after protected communications regarding sexual assault;
- independent panel duties concerning the review and assessment of judicial proceedings of sexual assault cases;
- additional military department actions on sexual assault prevention and response;
- sexual assault prevention and response within the military service academies; and
- collaboration between DOD and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Revises or adds provisions concerning court-martial actions for offenses involving sex-related crimes, including provisions concerning:
- elimination of the five-year statute of limitations on trial by court-martial;
- mandatory discharge or dismissal upon conviction for certain sex-related offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ);
- limitations on the modification of court-martial findings;
- a report on UCMJ modifications to prohibit sexual acts and contacts between military instructors and trainees; and
- the discharge, in lieu of court-martial, of members who commit sex-related offenses.
Outlines provisions concerning other military justice and legal matters, including provisions concerning:
- the prohibition of retaliation against members for reporting a criminal offense;
- the extension of crime victims' rights to victims of offenses under the UCMJ; and
- preliminary hearings on alleged offenses under the UCMJ.
What just happenedDec 9, 2013
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 253.
Who’s behind it
- Placed on Calendar SenateDec 9, 2013
- Dec 9, 2013Calendars
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 253.
- Nov 21, 2013Calendars
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- Nov 21, 2013IntroReferral10000
Introduced in Senate