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HR 5738 116th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Administrative law and regulatory procedures Assault and harassment offenses Crime victims Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Department of Defense Drug, alcohol, tobacco use Military education and training Military law Military personnel and dependents National Guard and reserves Sex offenses

To direct the Secretary of Defense to implement a safe-to-report policy applicable across the Armed Forces.

Introduced: January 30, 2020 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 30, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Jan 30, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill requires the Department of Defense to establish a safe-to-report policy for (1) members of the Armed Forces, including members of reserve components but excluding the Coast Guard; and (2) cadets and midshipmen at the military service academies.

The policy must allow an alleged victim of sexual assault to report the assault without fear or receipt of discipline, absent aggravating circumstances, for minor collateral misconduct.

What's happening now January 30, 2020

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 2500 Related bill National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
  • S 1790 Related bill National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 5 Republican 1
D
Levin, Mike
California · Oct 16, 2020
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Jan 30, 2020
 D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Jan 30, 2020
 D
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
California · Jan 30, 2020
 D
Cuellar, Henry
Texas · Jan 30, 2020
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jan 30, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5738: To direct the Secretary of Defense to implement a safe-to-report policy applicable across the Armed Forces.. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5738/
MLA
"H.R. 5738: To direct the Secretary of Defense to implement a safe-to-report policy applicable across the Armed Forces.." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5738/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5738, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5738/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5738: To direct the Secretary of Defense to implement a safe-to-report policy applicable across the Armed Forces.](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5738/)
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