Bill > SCR34

This Concurrent Resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the I am Vanessa Guillén Act, a legislative proposal aimed at addressing systemic failures within the military's handling of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and missing persons cases, which came to national attention following the tragic murder of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén. The resolution highlights that the current military justice system has significant flaws, such as commanding officers making charging decisions for sex-related offenses, investigations being conducted by untrained personnel, and limited options for reporting sexual harassment, leading to a lack of justice for many service members. The proposed I am Vanessa Guillén Act seeks to rectify these issues by transferring the authority for charging decisions in sex-related offenses to a chief prosecutor, mandating independent investigations by trained professionals, and establishing a confidential reporting system for sexual harassment that can be escalated to a formal complaint. Additionally, the Act would direct the Government Accountability Office, a non-partisan federal agency, to review procedures for responding to missing service members, ensuring that those who serve the nation have access to justice and that their concerns are heard and acted upon.