Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013
Latest action · Jun 4, 2013 Committee on Armed Services. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-320.
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.
- IntroducedMay 7, 2013
- Passed SenateNot reached
- Passed HouseNot reached
- To the PresidentNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Summary
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 advice and assistance in connection with criminal and civil legal matters related to the assault.
Allows a member or member dependent who is a victim of an 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 and maintain 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 charges of rape or sexual assault, and to provide for victims' rights under such actions (including the right to a Counsel).
Adds new provisions to the UCMJ concerning the commission of a sexual act upon, or abusive sexual contact with, a member by a military instructor.
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.
Cosponsors 38
Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from May 7, 2013 to Jul 10, 2013, with 2 there on the day it was introduced.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-NH | Kelly Ayotte | Original | May 7, 2013 |
| D-CT | Richard Blumenthal | Original | May 7, 2013 |
| R-AK | Lisa Murkowski | May 8, 2013 | |
| R-GA | Saxby Chambliss | May 8, 2013 | |
| D-DE | Christopher A. Coons | May 9, 2013 | |
| D-NH | Jeanne Shaheen | May 9, 2013 | |
| D-MT | Jon Tester | May 9, 2013 | |
| D-MD | Benjamin L. Cardin | May 13, 2013 | |
| R-AZ | John McCain | May 13, 2013 | |
| D-WA | Maria Cantwell | May 13, 2013 | |
| D-CA | Dianne Feinstein | May 14, 2013 | |
| D-CO | Michael F. Bennet | May 14, 2013 | |
| R-TX | John Cornyn | May 15, 2013 | |
| D-HI | Mazie K. Hirono | May 15, 2013 | |
| D-IL | Richard J. Durbin | May 15, 2013 |
Actions 4
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Jun 4, 2013Committee on Armed Services. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-320.
- May 7, 2013Introduced in Senate
- May 7, 2013Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3162-3163)
- May 7, 2013Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3161-3162)
Related bills 1
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
| Bill | Title | Relationship | Latest action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HR 2002 | Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013 | Related bill | Jun 20, 2013 |
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security.
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Assault and harassment offenses
- Crime prevention
- Crime victims
- Crimes against women
- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
- Criminal justice information and records
- Department of Defense
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Lawyers and legal services
- Military education and training
- Military law
- Military personnel and dependents
- National Guard and reserves
- Sex offenses
Text 1
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- May 7, 2013Introduced in Senate
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.