HR 1867 · 113th Congress 2013–2015, ended

BE SAFE Act

Fact sheet

Latest action · Jun 20, 2013 Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Progress

Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.

  1. IntroducedMay 8, 2013
  2. Passed HouseNot reached
  3. Passed SenateNot reached
  4. To the PresidentNot reached
  5. Became lawNot reached

Summary

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.

Cosponsors 34

Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from May 8, 2013 to Jul 24, 2013, with 1 there on the day it was introduced.

SeatCosponsorSigned on
D-MANiki TsongasOriginalMay 8, 2013
D-INAndré CarsonMay 14, 2013
D-NHAnn M. KusterMay 14, 2013
R-VAE. Scott RigellMay 14, 2013
D-MOEmanuel CleaverMay 14, 2013
D-ILJanice D. SchakowskyMay 14, 2013
R-PAMichael G. FitzpatrickMay 14, 2013
D-NYNita M. LoweyMay 14, 2013
R-FLVern BuchananMay 14, 2013
D-MEChellie PingreeMay 16, 2013
R-NYChristopher P. GibsonMay 16, 2013
D-NYLouise McIntosh SlaughterMay 16, 2013
D-WIMark PocanMay 16, 2013
D-HITulsi GabbardMay 16, 2013
D-MNBetty McCollumMay 20, 2013

Actions 3

Everything that happened, newest first.

  1. Jun 20, 2013Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
  2. May 8, 2013Introduced in House
  3. May 8, 2013Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Related bills 2

Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.

BillTitleRelationshipLatest action
S 1032Better Enforcement for Sexual Assault Free Environments Act of 2013Related billMay 23, 2013
HR 2207BE SAFE ActRelated billAug 29, 2013

Subjects

Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security.

Text 1

Each version as it was printed, newest first.

  1. May 8, 2013Introduced in House

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Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov.