Bill > S2870

This bill, titled the Military Retaliation Prevention Act, aims to strengthen protections against retaliation within the military. It introduces a new article, 133a, to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) that criminalizes retaliating against service members who report or plan to report criminal offenses or make "protected communications," which include lawful communications to Congress or Inspectors General, or disclosures of violations of law, gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or dangers to public health and safety to specific individuals or organizations. The bill also mandates that the results of investigations into retaliation complaints be reported to the complainant, and requires the Department of Defense to provide training to personnel investigating retaliation claims related to sexual assault reports, focusing on the impact of sexual assault trauma. Furthermore, annual reports on sexual assault prevention efforts will now include detailed information on retaliation complaints, and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office will establish metrics and best practices for evaluating and improving the military's response to retaliation in connection with sexual assault reports.