,i  #aae? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #cbji  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(           
,,repres5tatives  ,july #ab1 #bjag,ms4  
,h]r]a ,beutl] 7= h]self & ,ms4         
,tsongas7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0
 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,arm$        
,s]vices  ,a ,,bill  ,to am5d title #aj1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to improve        
protections = a memb] ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces :o
 is a survivor ( a sex-relat$ (f5se dur+
 milit>y s]vice reg>d+ ! sep>ation1 or !
 *>act]ization ( any sep>ation1 ( !     
memb] f ! ,arm$ ,=ces1 to make          
additional *anges to ! au?orities &     
proc$ures ( bo>ds = ! correction (      
milit>y records & dis*>ge review bo>ds1 
& = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title2     
table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort title ,?is   
,act may be cit$ z ! ,protect+ ,milit>y 
,honor ,act4  7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,!   
table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 
,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts4 
,sec4 #b4 ,confid5tial review (         
*>act]ization ( t]ms ( dis*>ge ( memb]s 
:o are survivors ( sex-relat$ (f5ses4   

,sec4 #c4 ,au?ority = dis*>ge review    
bo>ds to ref] c]ta9 applications =      
relief to ! ,physical ,disability ,bo>d 
( ,review4 ,sec4 #d4 ,public            
availability ( in=mation relat$ to      
disposition ( claims reg>d+ dis*>ge or  
release ( memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces :5 !   
claims involve sex-relat$ (f5ses4 ,sec4 
#e4 ,tra9+ requirem5ts4 ,sec4 #f4 ,o!r  
improvem5ts to au?orities & proc$ures = 
! correction ( milit>y records4 ,sec4   
#g4 ,burd5s ( pro( applicable to        
inve/igations & reviews relat$ to       
protect$ communications ( memb]s ( !    
,arm$ ,=ces & prohibit$ retaliatory     
actions4 ,sec4 #h4 ,adm9i/rative        
sep>ation protections = memb]s ( ! ,arm$
 ,=ces :o are survivors ( sex-relat$    
(f5ses4 ,sec4 #i4 ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se   
work+ gr\p on adm9i/rative review bo>ds4
  #b4 ,confid5tial review (             
*>act]ization ( t]ms ( dis*>ge ( memb]s 
:o are survivors ( sex-relat$ (f5ses    
7a7 ,codification ( curr5t confid5tial  
process  7#a7 ,codification ,*apt] #gi (

 title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is     
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #aeed;a a  
new section #aeed;b consi/+ (--  7,a7 a 
head+ z foll[s3  #aeed;b4 ,confid5tial  
review ( *>act]ization ( t]ms ( dis*>ge 
( memb]s ( ! arm$ =ces :o are survivors 
( sex-relat$ (f5ses  2  &  7,b7 a text  
consi/+ ( ! text ( section #edg ( !     
,national ,def5se ,au?orization ,act =  
,fiscal ,ye> #bjae 7#aj ,u4,s4,c4 #aeec 
note1 ,public ,law #aac-bia74  7#b7     
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( *apt] #gi ( su* title is     
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to   
section #aeed;a ! foll[+ new item3      
#aeed;b4 ,confid5tial review (          
*>act]ization ( t]ms ( dis*>ge ( memb]s 
( ! arm$ =ces :o are survivors (        
sex-relat$ (f5ses4  4  7#c7 ,con=m+     
repeal ,section #edg ( ! ,national      
,def5se ,au?orization ,act = ,fiscal    
,ye> #bjae 7#aj ,u4,s4,c4 #aeec note1   
,public ,law #aac-bia7 is repeal$4  7b7 
,cl>ification ( applicability to        
individuals :o allege sex-,relat$ (f5ses

 dur+ milit>y s]vice ,subsection 7a7 (  
section #aeed;b ( title #aj1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a7 (
 ?is section1 is am5d$ by /rik+         
sex-relat$ (f5se & ins]t+ ! foll[+3     
sex-relat$ (f5se1 or alleges t !        
individual 0 ! survivor ( a sex-relat$  
(f5se14  7c7 ,additional requirem5ts =  
consid]ation ( evid5ce ,subsection 7b7 (
 section #aeed;b ( title #aj1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a7 (
 ?is section1 is am5d$--  7#a7 by /rik+ 
& at ! end ( p>agraph 7#a72  7#b7 by    
/rik+ ! p]iod at ! end ( p>agraph 7#b7 &
 ins]t+ 2 &2 &  7#c7 by add+ at ! end ! 
foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#c7 to give      
lib]al consid]ation to all available    
evid5ce t a sex-relat$ (f5se occurr$1   
includ+ evid5ce f s\rces o!r ?an records
 ( ! arm$ =ce conc]n$ t may corroborate 
! individual's acc\nt ( ! sex-relat$    
(f5se 7includ+ evid5ce ( *anges 9 !     
individual's behavior aft] ! (f5se & o!r
 circum/antial evid5ce t may corroborate
 ! individual's acc\nt ( ! sex-relat$   

(f5se74  4  7d7 ,m$ical advisory op9ions
 9 connection ) sex-,relat$ (f5ses      
,section #aeed;b ( title #aj1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a71 
is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsection
 7d7 z subsection 7e72 &  7#b7 by ins]t+
 aft] subsection 7c7 ! foll[+ new       
subsection 7d73  7d7 ,m$ical advisory   
op9ions ,any m$ical advisory op9ion     
issu$ to a bo>d e/abli%$ 9 accordance ) 
?is *apt] 9 ! case ( a review c>ri$ out 
9 accordance ) ! process e/abli%$ "u ?is
 section %all include ! op9ion ( a      
psy*ologi/ or psy*iatri/ ) tra9+ 9      
sexual trauma cases4  4  7e7 ,con=m+    
am5dm5ts ,section #aeed;b ( title #aj1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by          
subsection 7a71 is fur!r am5d$-- 7#a7 by
 /rik+ ,arm$ ,=ces ea* place x appe>s 9 
subsections 7a7 & 7b7 & ins]t+ arm$     
=ces2  7#b7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by  
/rik+ bo>ds = ! correction ( milit>y    
records ( ! milit>y dep>tm5t conc]n$ &  
ins]t+ bo>ds ( ! milit>y dep>tm5t       
conc]n$ e/abli%$ 9 accordance ) ?is     

*apt]2 &  7,b7 by /rik+ su* an (f5se &  
ins]t+ a sex-relat$ (f5se2  7#c7 9      
subsection 7b71 /rik+ bo>ds = !         
correction ( milit>y records 9 ! matt]  
prec$+ p>agraph 7#a7 & ins]t+ bo>ds ( ! 
milit>y dep>tm5t conc]n$ e/abli%$ 9     
accordance ) ?is *apt]2 &  7#d7 9       
subsection 7e71 z r$esignat$ by         
subsection 7d77#a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph    
7#a71 by /rik+ title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code & ins]t+ ?is title2 &  7,b7 9     
p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#c71 by /rik+ su*     
title & ins]t+ ?is title4  #c4 ,au?ority
 = dis*>ge review bo>ds to ref] c]ta9   
applications = relief to ! ,physical    
,disability ,bo>d ( ,review  7a7        
,au?ority = dis*>ge review bo>ds ,to    
ref] = disability review ,section       
#aeec7;b7 ( title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3  7b7  
7#a7 ,to reflect its f9d+s1 a bo>d      
e/abli%$ "u ?is section may-- 7,a7 *ange
 a dis*>ge or dismissal2  7,b7 issue a  
new dis*>ge2 or  7,c7 9 ! case ( a =m]  
memb] ^: application = relief is bas$ 9 

:ole or 9 "p on matt]s relat+ to a      
sex-relat$ (f5se1 po/-traumatic /ress   
disord]1 or traumatic bra9 injury1 ref] 
! application = relief to ! ,physical   
,disability ,bo>d ( ,review e/abli%$ "u 
section #aeed;a ( ?is title = review "u 
su* section4  7#b7 ,any action ( ! bo>d 
"u ?is subsection is subject to review  
by ! ,secret>y conc]n$4  4  7b7         
,treatm5t ( ref]ral ,section #aeed;a (  
title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is      
am5d$--  7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsection  
7f7 z subsection 7g72 &  7#b7 by ins]t+ 
aft] subsection 7e7 ! foll[+ new        
subsection 7f73  7f7 ,ref]rals f dis*>ge
 review bo>d  7#a7 ,except z provid$ 9  
p>agraph 7#b71 a ref]ral = review       
pursuant to section #aeec7;b77#a77;,c7 (
 ?is title %all be treat$ z a reque/ =  
review by a cov]$ individual = purposes 
( ?is section4  7#b7 ,9 ! case ( a      
ref]ral = review pursuant to section    
#aeec7;b77#a77;,c7 ( ?is title-- 7,a7 a 
previ\s disability det]m9ation by a     
,physical ,evaluation ,bo>d %all n be   

requir$2 &  7,b7 subsection 7c77#d7 %all
 n apply4  4  #d4 ,public availability (
 in=mation relat$ to disposition (      
claims reg>d+ dis*>ge or release (      
memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces :5 ! claims      
involve sex-relat$ (f5ses  7a7 ,bo>ds = 
! correction ( milit>y records ,section 
#aeeb7;h7 ( title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 z add$ by section #ecc7;a7 ( !   
,national ,def5se ,au?orization ,act =  
,fiscal ,ye> #bjag 7,public ,law        
#aad-cbh71 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !  
foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#d7 ,! numb] &   
disposition ( claims submitt$ dur+ !    
cal5d> qu>t] prec$+ ! cal5d> qu>t] 9 :i*
 su* in=mation is made available 9 :i* a
 sex-relat$ (f5se is alleg$ to h        
contribut$1 :e!r 9 :ole or 9 "p1 to !   
orig9al *>act]ization ( ! dis*>ge or    
release ( ! claimant4  4  7b7 ,dis*>ge  
review ,bo>ds ,section #aeec7;f7 ( title
 #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by    
section #ecc7;b7 ( ! ,national ,def5se  
,au?orization ,act = ,fiscal ,ye> #bjag 
7,public ,law #aad-cbh71 is am5d$ by    

add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3    
7#d7 ,! numb] & disposition ( claims    
submitt$ dur+ ! cal5d> qu>t] prec$+ !   
cal5d> qu>t] 9 :i* su* in=mation is made
 available 9 :i* a sex-relat$ (f5se is  
alleg$ to h contribut$1 :e!r 9 :ole or 9
 "p1 to ! orig9al *>act]ization ( !     
dis*>ge or release ( ! claimant4  4  #e4
 ,tra9+ requirem5ts  7a7 ,memb]s ( bo>ds
 = ! correction ( milit>y records       
,section #ecd7;c77#a7 ( ! ,national     
,def5se ,au?orization ,act = ,fiscal    
,ye> #bjag 7,public ,law #aad-cbh2 #aj  
,u4,s4,c4 #aeeb note7 is am5d$ by add+  
at ! end ! foll[+ new s5t5ce3 ,?is      
curriculum %all also address ! prop]    
h&l+ ( claims 9 :i* a sex-relat$ (f5se  
is alleg$ to h contribut$ to ! orig9al  
*>act]ization ( ! dis*>ge or release ( !
 claimant1 includ+ guidel9es = !        
consid]ation ( evid5ce sub/antiat+ su*  
allegations 9 accordance ) ! requirem5ts
 ( section #aeed;b7b77#c7 ( title #aj1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code44  7b7 ,dep>tm5t (  
def5se p]sonnel :o inve/igate claims (  

retaliation ,section #edf7;a7 ( !       
,national ,def5se ,au?orization ,act =  
,fiscal ,ye> #bjag 7,public ,law        
#aad-cbh7 is am5d$ by /rik+ section4 &  
ins]t+ section1 includ+ guidel9es = !   
consid]ation ( evid5ce sub/antiat+ su*  
allegations 9 accordance ) ! requirem5ts
 ( section #aeed;b7b77#c7 ( title #aj1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code44  #f4 ,o!r         
improvem5ts to au?orities & proc$ures = 
! correction ( milit>y records  7a7     
,bo>ds = ! correction ( milit>y records 
7#a7 ,use ( secret>ial au?ority to      
correct milit>y records ,section        
#aeeb7;a77#a7 ( title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ may bo? places
 x appe>s & ins]t+ %all4  7#b7 ,index+ (
 publi%$ decisions ,p>agraph 7#e7 (     
section #aeeb7;a7 ( title #aj1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3
  7#e7 ,beg9n+ ,octob] #a1 #bjah1 ea*   
f9al decision ( a bo>d "u ?is subsection
 %all be made available to ! public 9   
electronic =m on a c5traliz$ ,int]net   
website4 ,! in=mation provid$ %all      

include a summ>y ( ea* decision1 to be  
index$ by subject matt]1 except t !     
,secret>y %all protect ! privacy (      
claimants by r$act+ all p]sonally       
id5tifiable in=mation4  4  7b7 ,dis*>ge 
,review ,bo>ds  7#a7 ,repeal ( #ae-ye>  
/atute ( limitations on motions or      
reque/s = review ,section #aeec7;a7 (   
title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by /rik+ ! second s5t5ce4  7#b7        
,telephonic pres5tation ( evid5ce       
,section #aeec7;c7 ( title #aj1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 9 ! second s5t5ce
 by /rik+ or by affidavit & ins]t+ 1 by 
affidavit1 or by telephone or video     
conf]5ce4  7c7 ,effective date ,!       
am5dm5ts made by ?is section %all take  
effect on ,octob] #a1 #bjah4  #g4       
,burd5s ( pro( applicable to            
inve/igations & reviews relat$ to       
protect$ communications ( memb]s ( !    
,arm$ ,=ces & prohibit$ retaliatory     
actions  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #ajcd (  
title #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is      
am5d$--  7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsections 

7i7 & 7j7 z subsections 7j7 & 7k71      
respectively2 &  7#b7 by ins]t+ aft]    
subsection 7h7 ! foll[+ new subsection  
7i73  7i7  7#a7 ,= purposes ( ?is       
section1 !re is suffici5t basis to      
conclude t a p]sonnel action prohibit$  
by subsection 7b7 has occurr$ if !      
communication made by ! memb] or =m]    
memb] 0 a contribut+ factor 9 ! p]sonnel
 action t 0 tak51 or is to be tak51     
aga9/ ! memb] or =m] memb] unless !re is
 cle> & conv9c+ evid5ce t ! same        
p]sonnel action w\ld h be5 tak5 9 !     
abs5ce ( ! communication4  7#b7 ,a memb]
 or =m] memb] may demon/rate t !        
communication 0 a contribut+ factor 9 ! 
p]sonnel action ?r\gh circum/antial     
evid5ce1 su* z evid5ce t--  7,a7 !      
(ficial tak+ ! p]sonnel action knew ( ! 
communication2 &  7,b7 ! p]sonnel action
 occurr$ )9 a p]iod ( "t su* t a        
reasonable p]son c\ld conclude t !      
communication 0 a contribut+ factor 9 ! 
p]sonnel action4  4  7b7 ,effective date
 ,! am5dm5t made by subsection 7a7 %all 

take effect on ! date t is #cj days aft]
 ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & %all 
apply ) respect to allegations p5d+ or  
submitt$ "u section #ajcd ( title #aj1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 on or aft] t date4 
#h4 ,adm9i/rative sep>ation protections 
= memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces :o are         
survivors ( sex-relat$ (f5ses  7a7      
,cov]$ memb] def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m
 cov]$ memb] means a memb] ( ! ,arm$    
,=ces :o is diagnos$ ) a m5tal heal?    
condition relat$ to a sex-relat$ (f5se t
 occurr$ dur+ ! memb]'s s]vice 9 ! ,arm$
 ,=ces4  7b7 ,limitations on sep>ation =
 a m5tal disord] n con/itut+ a physical 
disability  7#a7 ,review ( diagnosis ,a 
cov]$ memb] %all n be sep>at$ on ! basis
 ( a p]sonality disord] or o!r m5tal    
disord] n con/itut+ a physical          
disability1 unless ! diagnosis ( su*    
disord] has be5--  7,a7 corroborat$ by a
 pe] or high]-level m5tal heal?         
pr(essional2 &  7,b7 endors$ by !       
,surgeon ,g5]al ( ! milit>y dep>tm5t    
conc]n$4  7#b7 ,co-morbid ,,ptsd        

diagnosis ,unless f\nd fit = duty by !  
disability evaluation sy/em1 a cov]$    
memb] %all n be sep>at$ on ! basis ( a  
p]sonality disord] or o!r m5tal disord] 
n con/itut+ a physical disability if    
s]vice-relat$ po/-traumatic /ress       
disord] is also diagnos$4  7c7          
,effective date ,?is section %all take  
effect #ahj days aft] ! date ( !        
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #i4 ,dep>tm5t (   
,def5se work+ gr\p on adm9i/rative      
review bo>ds  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t & purpose 
,! ,secret>y ( ,def5se %all e/abli% a   
,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se work+ gr\p = !      
purpose ( id5tify+ & mak+ recomm5dations
 to ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se on be/        
practices & proc$ures to be us$ by bo>ds
 = ! correction ( milit>y records &     
dis*>ge review bo>ds 9 c>ry+ out _!     
responsibilities "u *apt] #gi ( title   
#aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & 9 grant+    
relief to claimants "u t *apt]4  7b7    
,consultation ,9 c>ry+ out !            
responsibilities ( ! work+ gr\p1 memb]s 
( ! gr\p %all consult1 z appropriate1 ) 

civilian practition]s ( milit>y law &   
repres5tatives ( organizations t h      
exp]i5ce 9 cases be=e bo>ds = !         
correction ( milit>y records & dis*>ge  
review bo>ds4  7c7 ,reports requir$     
7#a7 ,initial report ,n lat] ?an #ahj   
days aft] ! date ( ! e/abli%m5t ( !     
work+ gr\p1 ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se %all  
submit to ! ,committees on ,arm$        
,s]vices ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,h\se (         
,repres5tatives a report conta9+ ! f9d+s
 & recomm5dations ( ! work+ gr\p4  7#b7 
,subsequ5t report ,n lat] ?an two ye>s  
aft] ! date ( ! e/abli%m5t ( ! work+    
gr\p1 ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se %all submit 
to ! ,committees on ,arm$ ,s]vices ( !  
,s5ate & ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a    
report conta9+ an evaluation conduct$ by
 ! work+ gr\p (--  7,a7 all             
recomm5dations ( ! work+ gr\p t h be5 or
 are be+ implem5t$ by bo>ds = !         
correction ( milit>y records & dis*>ge  
review bo>ds2 &  7,b7 ! results ( !     
implem5tation ( su* recomm5dations4