zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) (Secretary) to establish a veteran jobs corps to employ veterans: (1) in conservation, resource management, and historic preservation projects on public lands and maintenance and improvement projects for cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) as firefighters and law enforcement officers. Requires priority employment for veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Provides for such employment in coordination with the Attorney General, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Interior. Directs the Secretary to establish a steering committee for assistance in providing such employment. Directs the Secretary of Labor to commence a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing veterans seeking employment with access to computing facilities in order to: (1) match veterans with available jobs based on veterans' skills acquired as members of the Armed Forces, and (2) allow employers to post information about available jobs. Directs the Secretary, as a condition of a grant or contract to a state for certain veterans' employment and training programs, to require the state to demonstrate the consideration of any military training received by a veteran when approving or denying a commercial driver's license or a certification to be a nursing assistant or certified nursing assistant, or an emergency medical technician or paramedic. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish minimum funding levels for specified veterans' benefits contracts and grants to ensure that each state receives sufficient funding to support at least one disabled veterans' outreach program specialist and one local veterans' employment representative per 5,000 square miles of service delivery area within the state. Directs the Secretary of Labor, during the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to provide the Transition Assistance Program to veterans and their spouses at locations other than military installations in at least three and up to five states selected by the Secretary based on the highest rates of veteran unemployment. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a 100% continuous levy upon the property and rights of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) providers and suppliers neglecting or refusing to pay taxes. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 providing for a program for the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies for ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production. Permits the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport to any individual upon receiving certification from the Secretary of the Treasury that such individual has a delinquent tax debt in an amount in excess of $50,000.

Date: 2012-07-30
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Religious Freedom Act of 2012 - Requires the Armed Forces to accommodate the conscience and sincerely held moral principles and religious beliefs of its members concerning the appropriate and inappropriate expression of human sexuality, and prohibits the Armed Forces from using such conscience, principles, or beliefs (beliefs) as the basis of any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion, schooling, training, or assignment. Prohibits any member from: (1) directing, ordering, or requiring a chaplain to perform any duty, rite, service, or function that is contrary to his or her beliefs; or (2) discriminating or taking any adverse personnel action against a chaplain for refusing to comply with a direction, order, or requirement that is against his or her beliefs. Prohibits a military installation or other property owned, rented, or under the jurisdiction or control of the Department of Defense (DOD) from being used to officiate, solemnize, or perform a marriage or marriage-like ceremony involving anything other than the union of one man with one woman.

Date: 2012-09-11
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a process for determining whether individuals who served in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines or in the Philippine Scouts while in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and who are not included in the Missouri List are eligible for certain benefits relating to their U.S. service.

Date: 2012-09-12
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
VOW to Hire Heroes Extension Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2016 the work opportunity tax credit for hiring veterans, (2) revise tax credit eligibility requirements for documenting the status of veterans and their receipt of unemployment compensation, and (3) extend the payroll tax offset for such credit to certain for-profit employers.

Date: 2012-09-12
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Taxation
Honoring Service Through National Park Access Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make a lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, at a cost of $10, to veterans who were separated from military service under conditions other than dishonorable.

Date: 2012-09-20
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2012 or HAVEN Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals. Requires such grants to be used to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of disabled or low-income veterans (at a specified limited or no cost to such veterans). Limits grant amounts to $1 million per organization. Requires the Secretary to direct the oversight of grant fund use. Requires a minimum of 50% matching funds by participating organizations.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Streamlining Services for Older Veterans Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include status as a veteran among the categories of greatest social need based on noneconomic factors. Requires state and area plans to include information on how the state and area agencies on: (1) aging will engage in outreach to veterans eligible for services under such Act, and (2) effective and efficient procedures for the coordination of services provided under that Act with services provided to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other providers.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Social welfare
Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012 - Revises certain commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements with which a state must comply in order to avoid the administrative penalty of a withholding by the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) of a percentage of the state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds. Permits a state to issue a CDL to an individual who operates or will operate a commercial motor vehicle and who: (1) is an active duty member of the Armed Forces, including the military reserves, National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary; and (2) is not domiciled in the state, but whose temporary or permanent duty station is located there.

Date: 2012-09-22
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Military Sexual Assault Prevention Act of 2012 - Prohibits any person convicted under federal or state law of rape, sexual assault, forcible sodomy, or incest from being commissioned or enlisting in the Armed Forces. Requires administrative separation from the Armed Forces, when not punitively discharged, for any member of the Armed Forces (member) on active duty, and any reserve member in an active status, who is convicted of rape, sexual assault, forcible sodomy, or an attempt thereof (covered offenses). Allows the Secretary of the military department concerned to waive such a separation in the interests of national security on a case-by-case basis. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), with respect to any charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) that alleges any of the covered offenses, to require the military department Secretaries to restrict disposition authority to specified high-command officers authorized to convene special courts-martial under the UCMJ. States as the policy of the United States that any charge regarding the covered offenses should be disposed of by court-martial rather than non-judicial punishment or administrative action. Requires inclusion in a member's personnel service record of a substantiated complaint of a sexual-related offense. Requires commanding officer review of a member's history of substantiated sexual offenses upon a member's transfer to the new command. Requires sexual assault forms and records to be retained for at least 50 years. Amends the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 to add additional required information within annual reports on sexual assaults involving members. Establishes an independent panel to review and assess UCMJ judicial proceedings involving sexual assault and related offenses for purposes of developing potential improvements to such proceedings. Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in the Armed Forces. Requires related reports.

Date: 2012-11-29
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Man in the Sea Memorial Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to permit a third party to establish and maintain, at a suitable location at the former Navy Dive School at the Washington Navy Yard (District of Columbia) a memorial to honor members of the Armed Forces who have served as divers and whose service in defense of the United States has been carried out beneath the waters of the world.

Prohibits the use of federal funds for designing, procuring, preparing, installing, or maintaining the memorial.

Date: 2013-01-04
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act - States that it is the policy of the United States to ensure that funds made available for operations of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan are to be used only for providing for the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense (DOD) contractor personnel in Afghanistan.

Allows such funds to be obligated and expended only for such purpose.

Date: 2013-01-04
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to award the Army Combat Action Badge to any member of the Army who participated in combat during which the person actually engaged, or was personally engaged by, the enemy at any time between December 7, 1941, and September 18, 2001, as long as such person has not been previously recognized for such participation.

Date: 2013-01-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Directs the Secretary of each military department to ensure that each member of the Armed Forces under their jurisdiction receives an audiometric test at the 8000 Hz frequency (or an equivalent test) to evaluate the hearing of such member during the 90-day period before the member is discharged, separated, or retired.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Protect Our Military Trainees Act - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to establish sexual assault and abusive sexual contact offenses that prohibit covered military instructors from committing sexual acts upon, or causing sexual contact upon or by, members of the armed forces undergoing basic training if the military instructor exercised supervisory authority over the member.

Requires violators to be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Defines "covered military instructors" as drill sergeants in the Army, drill instructors in the Marine Corps, recruit division commanders in the Navy, military training instructors in the Air Force, company commanders in the Coast Guard, and such other members as the Secretary concerned may designate as having supervisory authority over new recruits undergoing basic training or its equivalent.

Prohibits consent from being a defense in any such prosecution.

Date: 2013-01-25
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Sets a maximum age limit of 40 years for an original appointment to a position as a federal law enforcement officer in the case of individuals who have been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. Increases the age at which such an individual must be separated from service as an officer to 60 years of age, with an authorized exemption until age 63.

Date: 2013-02-04
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act - Considers a person a spouse, for purposes of military personnel policies and military and veterans' benefits, if the marriage of the individual is valid in the state in which the marriage was entered into or, in the case of a marriage entered into outside any state, if the marriage is valid in the place in which the marriage was entered into and the marriage could have been entered into in a state. Includes as a state the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. territories and possessions.

Date: 2013-02-14
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit Correction Act - Requires the days of active duty or active service used to reduce the minimum age at which a member of the reserves may retire for non-regular (reserve) service to occur in in any two consecutive fiscal years (under current law, in the same fiscal year).

Date: 2013-02-14
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act - Provides whistleblower protections to a member of the Armed Forces who complains or discloses evidence of ideologically based threats or actions of another member that the providing member reasonably believes could be counterproductive or detrimental to U.S. interests or security.

Date: 2013-02-14
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Truth in Trials Act - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) allow any person on trial for a federal marijuana-related offense to introduce evidence that the alleged marijuana-related activities were performed in compliance with state law regarding the medical use of marijuana, (2) allow an affirmative defense to a marijuana prosecution that the alleged marijuana-related activities complied with state law regarding the medical use of marijuana, (3) limit the criminal liability of persons convicted of federal marijuana-related offenses, (4) require the preservation and return (if a defendant is acquitted) of property seized in connection with a marijuana prosecution, and (5) prohibit the seizure of plants grown or stored under a physician's recommendation or by order of a state or municipal agency in accordance with state law regarding the medical use of marijuana.

Date: 2013-02-14
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Military Selective Service Act to include females (under current law, only males) between the ages of 18 and 26 within military service registration requirements.

Makes such amendment effective 60 days after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2013-02-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), in order to continue and expand the DOD report submitted in 2011, to establish the Task Force on Urotrauma to: (1) conduct a study on urotrauma (injury to the urinary tract from a penetrating, blunt, blast, thermal, chemical, or biological cause) among members of the Armed Forces and veterans; and (2) provide an interim and final report to the congressional defense and veterans committees on such study.

Date: 2013-03-06
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Efficient Service for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to jointly ensure that certain VA readjustment counseling centers have access to the Defense Personnel Record Image Retrieval and the VA/DOD Identity Repository Systems.

Date: 2013-03-13
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Fairness for Military Homeowners Act of 2013 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit the absence of a servicemember from his or her principal place of residence due to active-duty military service from preventing such servicemember from refinancing a mortgage on such residence. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to a servicemember who entered into a refinancing on such residence within the past five years.

Date: 2013-03-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Directs the Secretaries of the military departments to carry out tuition assistance programs for members of the Armed Forces during the remainder of FY2013, using funds appropriated for such programs under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 reduced by a specified budget sequestration percentage.

Date: 2013-03-19
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Family Leave Act of 2013 - Entitles an employed family member of a member of the Armed Forces who receives notification of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation, to two workweeks of leave per year for each family member who is so called or deployed. Allows such leave to: (1) be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule; and (2) consist of paid or unpaid leave, as the employer considers appropriate.

Allows an employer to require certification of entitlement to such leave within a leave request.

Provides employment and benefits protection for employees upon their return from such leave. Prohibits an employer from interfering with or otherwise denying the exercise of such leave rights.

Date: 2013-03-21
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), within one year after the enactment of this Act, to establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Health Registry containing the name of each individual who, while serving in the Armed Forces, was stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada (Gagetown), during the period beginning on January 1, 1956, and ending on December 31, 2006, and who: (1) applies for care or services from the VA; (2) files a claim for compensation on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (3) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation on the basis of such service; (4) requests a health examination from the VA; or (5) receives such health examination and requests inclusion in the Registry. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to provide such health examination, as well as consultation and counseling with respect to examination results.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify individuals in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Gagetown; and (2) carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to such health examinations, consultation, and counseling.

Requires an annual Registry report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans committees.

Date: 2013-03-21
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Entitles to post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance the child of a person who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies as the result of a service-connected disability. (Under current law, such assistance is available only to the child of a person who, on or after such date, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty.)

Date: 2013-03-21
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Suicide Reduction Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide a one-on-one mental health assessment for each member of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation once during each 180-day period of such deployment.

Requires that, if the Secretary determines that such assessment cannot be performed by personnel trained and certified to do so, the Secretary shall ensure that the assessment is conducted using an Internet-based questionnaire. Requires, in such case, that the commanding officer (CO) of such member also complete a separate questionnaire containing the CO's observations with respect to the mental health of that member. Requires such questionnaires to: (1) be reviewed and acted upon by trained and certified mental health personnel, and (2) be accorded appropriate privacy under requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Date: 2013-04-10
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
POW/MIA Accounting and Recovery Support Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to allow DOD civilian employees who are required to take a furlough that would otherwise occur during their deployment in support of accounting and recovery efforts by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command to take such furlough after returning from the deployment.

Date: 2013-04-12
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act or STOP Act - Establishes a Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Council, composed mainly of civilians, as an independent entity from the chain of command of the Department of Defense (DOD).

Directs the Council to: (1) appoint personnel to the Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office, and advise such Office; (2) appoint the Director of Military Prosecutions (Director); (3) review each request of the Director with respect to a case stemming from a sexual-related offense that has been referred to a military appellate court or to the Department of Justice (DOJ); and (4) submit to the Secretary of Defense, Congress, and the Attorney General a report on each Director request for referral to a higher court. Requires the Council to advise on the development of sexual assault reporting protocols, risk-reduction and response training, and policy.

Establishes within DOD the Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office, headed by an Executive Director, to undertake specified duties and responsibilities relating to the investigation, prevention, and reduction of sexual assault incidents within the Armed Forces. Requires the Office to establish protocols to ensure that all reports of sexual assault are taken out of the chain of command and reported directly to the Office.

Establishes the position of Director of Military Prosecutions, appointed by the Council, to have independent and final authority to oversee the prosecution of all sexual-related offenses committed by a member of the Armed Forces, and to refer such cases to trial by courts-martial.

Date: 2013-04-17
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) who moves with such member to another state under a permanent change of station order a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by such spouse. Defines "qualified relicensing costs" as costs for a state license or certification to engage in the profession that such military spouse engaged in while residing in the former state.

Date: 2013-04-18
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Taxation
Accessing Military Education Benefits Act - Provides that when a member of the Armed Forces is assigned to duty in an area for which hostile fire, imminent danger, or hazardous duty pay is authorized, the Secretary of Defense (DOD) shall ensure that, if such member has any direct student loans, the member shall automatically obtain the benefits of the Higher Education Act of 1965 which prohibit the accrual of student loan interest for active-duty military personnel.

Requires the Secretary to submit to the congressional defense committees a plan for the implementation of such requirement.

Date: 2013-04-18
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Aviation Teams Helping Our Municipalities' Economies Act of 2013 or AT HOME Act of 2013 - Prohibits any funds available to the Secretary of Defense (DOD) for FY2014-FY2015 from being used for the performance of flight demonstration teams under DOD jurisdiction at any location outside the United States.

Date: 2013-04-25
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Deployed Troops Support Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to transport to any country, on a space-available basis and without charge, supplies that have been furnished by a nonprofit organization and intended for distribution to members of the Armed Forces.

Prohibits such transportation unless the Secretary determines that: (1) such transportation is consistent with U.S. policies, (2) the supplies are suitable for transportation and in usable condition, (3) there is a legitimate need for the supplies, and (4) adequate arrangements have been made for their distribution.

Makes the nonprofit organization responsible for ensuring the suitability for transport of such supplies. Allows the supplies to be distributed by the U.S. government or a nonprofit organization.

Date: 2013-04-25
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Makes the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity for survivors of members of the reserves who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during inactive-duty training the same as such annuity for survivors of members of the regular Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on active duty. Provides the same increase with respect to the payment of an SBP annuity to a dependent child or children when there is no eligible surviving spouse.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to adjust SBP payment amounts to reflect such changes.

Date: 2013-04-26
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Troop Talent Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of the military departments, to the maximum extent practicable, to make information on civilian credentialing opportunities available to members of the Armed Forces (members) beginning with, and at every stage of, their training for military occupational specialities, in order to permit such members to: (1) evaluate the extent to which such training correlates with skills and training required for various civilian certifications and licenses, and (2) assess the suitability of such training for obtaining and pursuing such certifications and licenses.

Requires the information made available to: (1) be consistent with the Transition Goals Plans Success program, and (2) include information on the civilian occupational equivalents of military occupational specialties.

Requires such Secretaries to make available to civilian credentialing agencies specified information on the content of military training provided to members.

Allows members or veterans to use educational assistance provided through the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in pursuit of a civilian certification or license only if the successful completion of a curriculum fully qualifies such student to take the appropriate examination and be certified or licensed to meet any other academic conditions required for entry into that occupation or profession.

Requires the military occupational specialties designated for a military skills to civilian credentialing pilot program under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to include those specialties relating to the military information technology workforce.

Directs the VA Secretary to reestablish the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee (under current law, terminated on December 31, 2006). Provides additional Committee duties, including the development of: (1) guidance for audits of licensure and certification programs in order to ensure high-quality education to members and veterans, and (2) a plan to improve outreach to members and veterans on the importance of licensing and certification and the availability of educational benefits.

Date: 2013-04-26
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Equity Act - Deems service of a person as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 15, 1945 (qualified service) to be active military service for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to issue an honorable discharge to each person whose qualified service warrants one, and (2) the discharge to be issued within one year after enactment of this Act. Prohibits benefits from being paid to persons as a result of the enactment of this Act for any period before this Act's enactment date.

Date: 2013-05-06
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Family Home Protection Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (the Act) to allow a court, in an action to enforce an obligation on real or personal property secured by a mortgage against a servicemember who is, or was, eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger pay during a period of military service, a servicemember placed on convalescent status, a veteran who was medically discharged and retired, or the surviving spouse of a member who died during military service, to stay such proceedings, upon request of a covered individual, for a specified period (generally, one year after the event occurred for which the individual became covered). Prohibits the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of the subject property during such period, except upon a court order or pursuant to an agreement authorized under the Act. Requires the individual so covered to notify the mortgagee, trustee, or other creditor of such coverage. Provides a criminal penalty for violations of the sale or foreclosure prohibitions, and increases current civil penalties for mortgage violations under the Act. Prohibits an individual from being denied or refused credit solely by reason of eligibility for relief under this Act.

Requires a servicemember-mortgagor who does not reside in the mortgage-secured residence due to military relocation and who inquires about, or applies for, a refinancing to be considered to occupy such residence during the period of the relocation.

Requires each lending institution acting as a creditor to such servicemember, veteran, or surviving spouse to designate an employee responsible for ensuring the institution's compliance with the requirements of this Act. Requires any such institution that had prior annual assets of $10 billion or more to maintain on its primary website a toll-free number for information concerning such requirements.

Date: 2013-05-07
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with respect to the Coast Guard, or any of the military departments to investigate allegations of retaliatory personnel actions taken in response to making protected communications to such Inspector General regarding alleged instances of rape, sexual assault, or other forms of sexual misconduct in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Date: 2013-05-07
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Better Enforcement for Sexual Assault Free Environments Act of 2013 or BE SAFE Act - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to repeal the authority of a convening authority (the person taking action on the findings of a court-martial) to use discretion to either set aside a finding of guilty or change such finding to a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense (except with respect to a minor offense). Requires a convening authority, when changing a charge with respect to a minor offense, to prepare a written explanation of such action, which shall be made part of the record.

Prohibits a convening authority from reducing a sentence to less than the mandatory minimum sentence, unless to reflect the substantial assistance by the accused in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense. Requires a convening authority who disapproves, commutes, or suspends a sentence, in whole or in part, to prepare a detailed written explanation therefor, which shall be made part of the record.

Requires mandatory dismissal or dishonorable discharge of a person found guilty under the UCMJ of rape, sexual assault, forcible sodomy, or an attempt thereof.

Eliminates any statute of limitations with respect to UCMJ actions for sexual assault of a child.

Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide guidance for commanders regarding their authority to make determinations, and to take action, regarding whether a member of the Armed Forces (member) serving on active duty who is alleged to have committed a sexual assault or other sex-related offense should be temporarily reassigned or removed from a position of authority or assignment in order to maintain order and discipline within the member's unit.

Directs the Secretary concerned to designate legal counsel (knows as a Victims' Counsel) to provide legal assistance to a member or dependent who is the victim of a sex-related offense, whether the allegation is restricted (confidential) or unrestricted. Requires enhanced training for all military and civilian attorneys providing such assistance.

Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to report to the congressional defense committees on: (1) sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimum sentencing provisions under the UCMJ, and (2) the roles of commanders in the administration of military justice and the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of UCMJ offenses.

Date: 2013-05-08
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Children of Military Service Members Commemorative Lapel Pin Act - Requires a lapel button, to be known as the children of military service members commemorative lapel button, to be designed, as approved by the Secretary of Defense (DOD), to identify and recognize child dependents of members of the Armed Forces who serve on active duty for more than 30 days. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should expedite the design and manufacture of the button, as well as mechanisms to facilitate its issuance.

Makes such button available retroactively to the child of any member satisfying such eligibility conditions before the enactment of this Act.

Requires the Secretary to notify members with qualifying service since September 11, 2001, of the availability of the button.

Date: 2013-05-08
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide that if a court renders a temporary order for custodial responsibility for a child based solely on a deployment or anticipated deployment of a parent-servicemember, then the court shall require that upon the return of that servicemember from deployment the custody order that was in effect preceding such deployment shall be reinstated, unless the court finds that reinstatement in not in the child's best interest. Prohibits a servicemember's deployment or possible deployment from being considered as the sole factor in the determination of a child's best interest in a motion seeking a permanent order to modify custody. Provides that under a temporary custody order, if a state law provides a higher standard of protection to the deploying parent-servicemember, then the appropriate court shall apply the higher standard.

Date: 2013-05-08
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Oversight of Sensitive Military Operations Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to notify the congressional defense and appropriations committees of any sensitive military operation (a lethal or capture operation conducted by U.S. Armed Forces outside the United States) promptly following such operation. Requires: (1) the Secretary to submit to such committees procedures for complying with such requirement consistent with U.S. national security and the protection of operational integrity, and (2) such committees to ensure that committee procedures designed to protect the unauthorized disclosure of U.S. national security information are sufficient to protect the information submitted. Makes the notification requirement inapplicable to a sensitive military operation executed within Afghanistan pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force.

Requires the Secretary to submit to such committees an explanation of the legal and policy considerations and approval processes used in determining whether an individual or group could become the target of a sensitive military operation.

Directs the Secretary to provide such committees quarterly briefings on DOD counterterrorism operations and related activities involving special operations forces.

Date: 2013-05-09
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Deployment Act or SANE Deployment Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to direct the Secretary of each military department to assign at least one Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent (Examiner) to each brigade or equivalent unit level under that Secretary's jurisdiction, unless assignment to other units is determined to be more practicable and effective by the Secretary of Defense (DOD). Allows the assignment of more than one Examiner as necessary based on the demographics or needs of a unit. Allows for the waiver of such assignment for a specific unit level if a department Secretary determines that compliance will impose an undue burden, but requires congressional notification and justification therefor.

Requires that, on and after October 1, 2015, only members of the Armed Forces and civilian DOD employees may be assigned as Examiners.

 Requires appropriate Examiner training and certification.

Date: 2013-05-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2013 - Allows former members of the Armed Forces who have any period of service between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2011, including at least 90 days of such service after September 10, 2001, to transfer to their dependents any remaining entitlement to educational assistance under the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.

Allows such a transfer, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2015, in the case of an individual entitled to post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance who completed any period of service and was discharged or released under honorable conditions before September 30, 2011.

Date: 2013-05-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Israel QME Enhancement Act - Directs the President, on a biennial basis, to: (1) carry out an assessment of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge over military threats to it, and (2) submit a related report to Congress. (Current law requires an assessment on an ongoing basis and a report every four years.)

Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on: (1) the range of cyber and asymmetric threats posed to Israel by state and non-state actors, and (2) joint U.S.-Israel efforts to address such threats.

Date: 2013-05-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: International affairs
Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide for a program under which postal benefits are provided to a member of the Armed Forces who is on active duty and who is either: (1) serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or (2) hospitalized at a military medical facility as a result of such service. Provides the postal benefits in the form of coupons or other evidence of credit (vouchers) to use for postal-free mailings.

Makes the benefits program applicable during FY2014-FY2019.

Date: 2013-05-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013 - Directs each military department Secretary to implement a program providing a Special Victims' Counsel (Counsel) to a victim of a sexual assault committed by a member of the Armed Forces (member). Outlines Counsel qualifications and duties, including providing legal representation and assistance in connection with criminal and civil legal matters related to the assault. Provides conditions for legal representation in court, and requires the Manual for Courts-Martial to be revised to allow for such representation.

Allows a member or member dependent who is a victim of a sexual assault by another member to receive Counsel assistance. Requires such victim to be informed of the availability of such assistance at the time the victim originally seeks assistance from a sexual response coordinator or sexual assault victim advocate, a military criminal investigator, a victim/witness liaison, a trial counsel, health care providers, or any other personnel designated by the Secretary concerned. Makes such assistance available regardless of whether the victim elects unrestricted or restricted (confidential) reporting of the incident.

Provides additional duties of the Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office within the Department of Defense (DOD), including: (1) providing guidance and assistance for the military departments in addressing matters relating to sexual assault prevention and response, (2) acting as liaison between DOD and other federal and state agencies on sexual assault prevention and response programs, and (3) overseeing development of program guidance and joint planning objectives in support of such program. Requires the Director to also collect, maintain, and disseminate data of the military departments concerning sexual assault prevention and response.

Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to provide for disposition and other requirements in connection with sex-related offenses, and to provide for victims' rights under such actions (including the right to a Counsel).

Requires a convening authority (the official acting on the sentence of a court-martial), when taking any action other than approving a sentence, to prepare a written justification of such action which shall be made part of the record of the court-martial. Prohibits a convening authority from: (1) dismissing or setting aside a finding of guilty, or (2) reducing a finding of guilty to a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense.

Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to require the National Guard of each state and territory to ensure that a sexual assault response coordinator is available at all times to its members.

Date: 2013-05-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Stop Taxing American Assistance to Afghanistan Act - Prohibits U.S. assistance for Afghanistan unless the United States and Afghanistan enter into a bilateral agreement which provides that work performed in Afghanistan by U.S. contractors is exempt from taxation by the government of Afghanistan.

Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if in the U.S. national interest.

Makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract: (1) under which the contractor or subcontractor is not a U.S. national, or (2) involving commercial operations of U.S. diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.

Date: 2013-05-15
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: International affairs
Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), with respect to charges that allege an offense triable by court-martial (with certain exclusions) for which the maximum punishment includes confinement for more than one year, to direct the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to require the Secretaries of the military departments to provide for the determination of whether to try such charges by general or special court-martial to be made by a commissioned officer of grade O-6 or higher with significant experience in such trials and who is outside the chain of command of the accused. Provides that a determination not to proceed to trial shall not preclude a commanding officer from either referring such charges for trial by summary court-martial or imposing non-judicial punishment.

Requires Rule 306 (relating to policy on initial disposition of offenses) of the Manual for Courts-Martial to be amended to strike the character and military service of the accused from factors to be considered by the disposition authority.

Revises the list of officers authorized to convene general and special courts-martial to include those in grade O-6 or higher assigned such responsibility by their department chief of staff (with the same prohibition against an officer in the same chain of command as the accused). Requires each chief of staff to establish an office which shall convene general and special courts-martial and detail judges and members.

Requires a military judge to call a general or special court-martial trial into session within 90 days of the determination of its necessity.

Requires a convening authority (the official acting on the sentence of a court-martial), when taking any action other than approving a sentence, to prepare a written justification of such action which shall be made part of the record of the court-martial. Prohibits a convening authority from: (1) dismissing or setting aside a finding of guilty, or (2) reducing a finding of guilty to a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense.

Requires a commanding officer who receives a report of a sexual-related offense involving a member in such officer's chain of command to act immediately upon such report by way of referral to the appropriate criminal investigative office or service.

Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to require an independent panel established by the DOD Secretary to monitor and assess the implementation and efficacy of this Act and its amendments.

Date: 2013-05-16
Topic: Defense (Personnel Issues)
Subject: Armed forces and national security