Bill > HR4502

This bill establishes the Silver Shield Operational End Use Monitoring Program, a comprehensive system designed to track and assess how U.S. defense articles and services are used by foreign countries and international organizations. The program will monitor whether these military resources are potentially being used to commit serious human rights violations, including genocide, crimes against humanity, or grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. It requires the President to create a monitoring system within one year that incorporates information from multiple sources, such as embassy reports, eyewitness interviews, satellite imagery, non-governmental organization reports, and a new online reporting portal. The program will be coordinated between the Department of State and Department of Defense, with an external advisory board of experts to provide guidance. The bill also amends existing laws to require written agreements with foreign recipients of U.S. defense articles, ensuring they will not use these resources to violate international humanitarian or human rights laws. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reporting to Congress about the program's implementation, including details about costs, personnel, investigations, and monitoring efforts. Key agencies will need to update their policies to align with the new monitoring requirements, and the program will be funded through existing administrative and military financing channels.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4502/all-info