HR 2739 115th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Assault and harassment offenses Crime victims Crimes against children Criminal procedure and sentencing Federal appellate courts Judicial review and appeals Military education and training Military law Military personnel and dependents Sex offenses Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

BE HEARD Act

Introduced: May 25, 2017 Introduced by: Turner, Michael R. Republican · Ohio See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jul 17, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

May 25, 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

May 25, 2017

Introduced in House

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Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Building an Environment for Helpful, Effective, and Accessible Representation and Decision-making Act or the BE HEARD Act

This bill directs the Department of Defense to develop specific training to assist Special Victims' Counsels in recognizing and dealing with the effect of gender differences on victim response to sexual assault.

The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces may review for legal error a grant or denial of a petition for a writ of mandamus by the Court of Criminal Appeals upon petition of a sexual assault victim or the accused. Such review shall have priority of consideration to the maximum extent practicable.

The bill states that: (1) the designation authority under the Uniform Code of Military Justice to appoint an individual to assume the rights of a victim who is under 18 years old or incompetent is discretionary, and (2) such designation is not required if the military judge determines that a victim who is under 18 years old can adequately represent his or her own interests.

What's happening now July 17, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill text 1 version