Bill > HB3039

This bill, titled the "Texas Military Justice and Protection Act," aims to address the reporting and prosecution of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct by members of the state military forces. The key provisions include: 1. Prohibiting the holding of a member of the state military forces for trial by court-martial or punishment solely for the conduct of filing a report as a victim of or witness to an incident of sexual assault, sexual harassment (including online harassment), or other sexual misconduct, unless the report is known to be false or baseless. 2. Creating a new offense of retaliation and suppression, where it is prohibited to take or threaten unfavorable personnel actions or withhold or threaten to withhold favorable personnel actions to prevent a member from communicating about allegations of sexual misconduct or to retaliate against a member for reporting such allegations. This offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. 3. Applying the new provisions retroactively to offenses committed before, on, or after the effective date of the act, except for final convictions that exist on the effective date. 4. Providing an immediate effective date if the act receives a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house, or a default effective date of September 1, 2017.

Military Affairs and Security

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB3039