Victims Protection Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1775
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2013-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Assault and harassment offenses
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Defense
Department of Justice
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services
Military command and structure
Military education and training
Military law
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Performance measurement
Personnel records
Right of privacy
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-21
text: 
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.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-12-09
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 253.
action_date: 2013-11-21
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2013-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate