Top Summary
This bill requires the Coast Guard Commandant to develop updated policies on military protective orders within 180 days of enactment, ensuring consistency with Department of Defense guidelines. The policies must include written explanations for denied requests, shared with both the requesting member and the next flag officer in the chain of command, and require recusal of approving authorities if there is a conflict of interest or prior involvement in assault, harassment, or retaliation complaints. Additionally, the Commandant must establish procedures to inform victims of their options for expedited transfers, no-contact orders, or protective orders through sexual assault response coordinators and victim advocates.
Original Bill Text:
SEC. 513.Development of policies on military protective orders.
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall issue updated policies of the Coast Guard relating to military protective orders that are consistent with the law and policies of the Department of Defense.
(2) ELEMENTS.—The policies developed under paragraph (1) shall require—
(A) that any denial of a request for a military protective order shall include a written explanation for the denial, which shall be—
(i) forwarded to the next flag officer in the chain of command of the commanding officer or other approving authority who denied the request; and
(ii) provided to the member who submitted the request; and
(B) the recusal of an approving authority from participating in the granting or denying of a military protective order, if such authority was, at any time—
(i) the subject of a complaint of any form of assault, harassment, or retaliation filed by the member requesting the military protective order or the member who is the subject of the military protective order; or
(ii) associated with the member requesting the military protective order or the member who is the subject of the military protective order in a manner that presents as an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
(3) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.—The Commandant shall develop a policy to ensure that sexual assault response coordinators, victim advocates, and other appropriate personnel shall inform victims of the process by which the victim may request an expedited transfer, a no-contact order, or a military or civilian protective order.