[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6309-6316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Ayotte, and Mr. Blumenthal):
  S. 871. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance 
assistance for victims of sexual assault committed by members of the 
Armed Forces, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come to the floor because I believe the 
great strength of our military is in the character and dedication of 
our men and women who wear the uniform. It is the courage of these 
Americans to volunteer to serve. That is the Pentagon's greatest asset.
  I know it is said a lot, but take a minute to think about that. Our 
servicemembers volunteer to face danger, to put their lives on the line 
to protect our country and all of its people. When we think of those 
dangers, we think of IEDs. We think of battles with insurgents, many of 
whom are so cowardly and evil that they refuse to even wear a uniform 
themselves, and they seek to kill innocent civilians.
  There are, unfortunately, other dangers as well, dangers that cannot 
be expected and none of our courageous servicemembers should ever have 
to face. That is what I am speaking about, sexual assault. That 
continues to plague the ranks of our military services.
  It is absolutely unconscionable that a fellow servicemember, the 
person whom you rely on to have your back and be there for you, would 
commit such a terrible crime. It is simply appalling that they could 
commit such a personal violation of their brother or sister in uniform.
  Even worse is the prevalence of these crimes. Just today, we are 
hearing the alarming statistic that the number of cases has increased 
by more than one-third since 2010. For the estimated 26,000 cases of 
military sexual assault in 2012, less than 3,000 of them were reported. 
Out of 26,000, only 3,000 were reported. What is even more startling is 
that of those who bravely came forward and reported the abuse, an 
astounding 62 percent of them were retaliated against in one way or 
another.
  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, about one in five 
female veterans treated by the VA has suffered from military sexual 
trauma. That is certainly not the act of a comrade. It is not in 
keeping with the ethos in any service, and it can no longer be 
tolerated. We still have not done enough to put an end to these 
shameful acts.
  Today I am taking action to change that. Today Senator Ayotte and I 
joined to introduce the Combatting Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013. 
This is bipartisan legislation that we have worked on to make several 
vital improvements to protect our servicemembers, to assist the 
victims, and to punish the criminals. Our bill, the Combatting Military 
Sexual Assault Act, will create a new category of legal advocates 
called special victims' counsels who would be responsible for 
advocating on behalf of the interests of the victim. These SVCs, 
special victims' counsels, would advise the victim on the range of 
legal issues they might face. For example, when a young private first 
class is intimidated into not reporting a sexual assault, by 
threatening her with unrelated legal charges such as underage drinking, 
this new advocate, the SVC, would be there to protect her and tell her 
the truth.
  This bill would also enhance the responsibilities and authority of 
the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 
Office, known as the SAPRO, to provide better oversight of efforts to 
combat military sexual assault across our Armed Forces. SAPRO would 
also be required to regularly track and report on a range of MSA 
statistics, including assault rates, the number of cases brought to 
trial, and compliance within each of these individual services.
  Some of this data collection and reporting is already being done, so 
this requirement is not going to be burdensome. It would give that 
office statutory authority to track and report to us on the extent of 
the problem.
  The Combatting Military Sexual Assault Act would also require sexual 
assault cases to be referred to the next superior competent authority 
for court martial when there is a conflict of interest in the immediate 
chain of command. This is very important. This will help ensure that 
sexual assault allegations get a fair, impartial, and thorough 
investigation. The President of the Military Officers Association of 
America agrees. They stated:

       Preventing sexual assault is a duty of everyone in the 
     chain of command. This legislation will increase support for 
     sexual assault victims and strengthen policies and procedures 
     for such cases in our Nation's Armed Forces.

  This legislation would also prohibit sexual contact between military 
instructors and servicemembers during basic training or its equivalent 
or

[[Page 6310]]

within 30 days after the training. As we have seen, with disturbing 
frequency at places such as Lackland Air Force Base or the Air Force 
Academy, new servicemembers are too often taken advantage of and 
abused.
  In these settings, new servicemembers have every aspect of their life 
controlled by their instructor. While this is appropriate for military 
training, in this type of setting it is entirely inappropriate for 
senior servicemembers to seek a sexual relationship with a junior 
subordinate. It is our view it is impossible for a servicemember to 
freely give consent in that setting.
  This bill will also ensure that sexual assault response coordinators 
are available to members of the National Guard and Reserve at all 
times. I was told a very disturbing story recently by a female 
servicemember from the National Guard in my home State of Washington. 
After being sexually assaulted during her monthly drill on a military 
base, she took all the necessary steps, including calling the sexual 
assault response coordinator. When she called, she was told that 
because the assault happened during a monthly drill, not on Active 
Duty, the sexual response coordinator could not help her. Those 
services were only reserved for those on Active Duty.
  That is absolutely unacceptable. When one of our men and women in 
uniform is the victim of a sexual assault, and they have the courage to 
come forward and ask for help, the answer never, ever should be, sorry, 
there are regulations, nothing I can do for you.
  This bill is one step to address the crises we have in our own Armed 
Forces, and it needs to be done now. Yesterday's news that the Air 
Force's chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested for sexual 
assault is another reminder that we have to change the culture around 
this issue.
  I want to be very clear. The military has taken some steps on its 
own. For instance, I am looking forward to seeing Secretary Hagel's 
proposal on how to reform article 60 of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice. As I think most of our colleagues know, under article 60, the 
convening authority of a court martial is empowered to dismiss the 
judgment of the court martial and overturn their verdict. Many of us, 
myself included, have had serious concerns about how that authority has 
been used in sexual assault cases.
  We are here today to introduce this bill, and I wish to thank the 
Senator from New Hampshire for her advocacy on this issue and for her 
help in putting this legislation together.
  I also wish to thank Representative Tim Ryan for his leadership and 
championing our companion bill in the other Chamber.
  When I asked Navy Secretary Ray Mabus about the sexual assault 
epidemic, I was glad to hear him say ``concern'' wasn't a strong enough 
word to describe how he felt about this problem. He said he was angry 
about it.
  I know a lot of us share this feeling. We want it to stop. I am very 
hopeful both Chambers can work quickly to do right by our Nation's 
heroes. When our best and brightest put on a uniform and joined our 
U.S. Armed Forces, they do so with the understanding they will 
sacrifice much in the name of defending our country and its people. 
That sacrifice should not have to come in the form of unwanted sexual 
contact from within the ranks.
  I am very pleased to introduce this bill. I wish to thank Senator 
Ayotte again for her hard work and advocacy. It is a pleasure to work 
with her.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 871

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Military Sexual 
     Assault Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. SPECIAL VICTIMS' COUNSEL FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL 
                   ASSAULT COMMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES.

       (a) Special Victims' Counsel for Victims of Sexual Assault 
     Committed by Members of the Armed Forces.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries of the military 
     departments shall each implement a program on the provision 
     of a Special Victims' Counsel to victims of a sexual assault 
     committed by a member of the Armed Forces.
       (2) Qualification.--An individual may not be designated as 
     a Special Victims' Counsel under this subsection unless the 
     individual is--
       (A) a judge advocate who is a graduate of an accredited law 
     school or is a member of the bar of a Federal court or the 
     highest court of a State; and
       (B) is certified as competent to be designated as a Special 
     Victims' Counsel by the Judge Advocate General of the Armed 
     Force of which the individual is a member.
       (3) Duties.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the duties of 
     a Special Victims' Counsel shall include the provision of 
     legal advice and assistance to a victim in connection with 
     criminal and civil legal matters related to the sexual 
     assault committed against the victim, including the 
     following:
       (i) Legal advice and assistance regarding criminal 
     liability of the victim.
       (ii) Legal advice and assistance regarding the victim's 
     responsibility to testify, and other duties to the court.
       (iii) Legal advice regarding the potential for civil 
     litigation against other parties (other than the Department 
     of Defense).
       (iv) Legal advice regarding any proceedings of the military 
     justice process which the victim may observe.
       (v) Legal advice and assistance regarding any proceeding of 
     the military justice process in which the victim may 
     participate as a witness or other party.
       (vi) Legal advice and assistance regarding available 
     military or civilian restraining or protective orders.
       (vii) Legal advice and assistance regarding available 
     military and veteran benefits.
       (viii) Legal assistance in personal civil legal matters in 
     connection with the sexual assault in accordance with section 
     1044 of title 10, United States Code.
       (ix) Such other legal advice and assistance as the 
     Secretary of the military department concerned shall specify 
     for purposes of the program implemented under this 
     subsection.
       (B) Nature of relationship.--The relationship between a 
     Special Victims' Counsel and a victim in the provision of 
     legal advice and assistance shall be the relationship between 
     an attorney and client.
       (b) Assistance and Reporting.--
       (1) Assistance.--Section 1565b of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
     subsection (b):
       ``(b) Availability of Special Victims' Counsel for Victims 
     of Sexual Assault Committed by Members of the Armed Forces.--
     (1) A member of the armed forces, or a dependent of a member, 
     who is the victim of a sexual assault described in paragraph 
     (2) may be provided assistance by a Special Victims' Counsel.
       ``(2) A sexual assault described in this paragraph is any 
     offense if alleged to have been committed by a member of the 
     armed forces as follows:
       ``(A) Rape or sexual assault under section 920 of this 
     title (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
       ``(B) An attempt to commit an offense specified in 
     subparagraph (A) as punishable under section 880 of this 
     title (article 80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
       ``(3) A member of the armed forces or dependent who is the 
     victim of sexual assault described in paragraph (2) shall be 
     informed of the availability of assistance under paragraph 
     (1) as soon as the member or dependent seeks assistance from 
     a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, a Sexual Assault 
     Victim Advocate, a military criminal investigator, a victim/
     witness liaison, a trial counsel, health care providers, or 
     any other personnel designated by the Secretary of the 
     military department concerned for purposes of this paragraph. 
     The member or dependent shall also be informed that the 
     assistance of a Special Victims' Counsel under paragraph (1) 
     is optional and may be declined, in whole or in part, at any 
     time.
       ``(4) Assistance of a Special Victims' Counsel under 
     paragraph (1) shall be available to a member or dependent 
     regardless of whether the member or dependent elects 
     unrestricted or restricted (confidential) reporting of the 
     sexual assault.''.
       (2) Reporting.--Subsection (c) of such section, as 
     redesignated by paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, is 
     further amended in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
     subparagraph (C):
       ``(C) A Special Victims' Counsel.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments to Authority on SARC, SAVA, and 
     Related Assistance.--Subsection (a) of such section is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``may'' and inserting 
     ``shall, upon request,''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by inserting ``a Special Victims' Counsel,'' after ``a 
     Sexual Assault Victim Advocate,''; and

[[Page 6311]]

       (B) by striking ``or a trial counsel'' and inserting ``a 
     trial counsel, health care providers, or any other personnel 
     designated by the Secretary of the military department 
     concerned for purposes of this paragraph''.
       (d) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) Heading amendment.--The heading of such section is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 1565b. Victims of sexual assault: access to legal 
       assistance and services of Sexual Assault Coordinators, 
       Sexual Assault Victim Advocates, and Special Victims' 
       Counsels''.

       (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 80 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 1565b and inserting the 
     following new item:

``1565b. Victims of sexual assault: access to legal assistance and 
              services of Sexual Assault Coordinators, Sexual Assault 
              Victim Advocates, and Special Victims' Counsels.''.

     SEC. 3. ENHANCED RESPONSIBILITIES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT 
                   PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OFFICE FOR DEPARTMENT 
                   OF DEFENSE SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND 
                   RESPONSE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 1611(b) of the Ike Skelton 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (10 
     U.S.C. 1561 note) is amended by striking ``shall--'' and all 
     that follows and inserting ``shall do the following:
       ``(1) Oversee development and implementation of the 
     comprehensive policy for the Department of Defense sexual 
     assault prevention and response program, including guidance 
     and assistance for the military departments in addressing 
     matters relating to sexual assault prevention and response.
       ``(2) Serve as the single point of authority, 
     accountability, and oversight for the sexual assault 
     prevention and response program.
       ``(3) Undertake responsibility for the oversight of the 
     implementation of the sexual assault prevention and response 
     program by the Armed Forces.
       ``(4) Collect and maintain data of the military departments 
     on sexual assault in accordance with section 1615.
       ``(5) Provide oversight to ensure that the military 
     departments maintain documents relating to the following:
       ``(A) Allegations and complaints of sexual assault 
     involving members of the Armed Forces.
       ``(B) Courts-martial or trials of members of the Armed 
     Forces for offenses relating to sexual assault.
       ``(6) Act as liaison between the Department of Defense and 
     other Federal and State agencies on programs and efforts 
     relating to sexual assault prevention and response.
       ``(7) Oversee development of strategic program guidance and 
     joint planning objectives for resources in support of the 
     sexual assault prevention and response program, and make 
     recommendations on modifications to policy, law, and 
     regulations needed to ensure the continuing availability of 
     such resources.
       ``(8) Provide to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs any 
     records or documents on sexual assault in the Armed Forces, 
     including restricted reports with the approval of the 
     individuals who filed such reports, that are required by the 
     Secretary for purposes of the administration of the laws 
     administered by the Secretary.''.
       (b) Collection and Maintenance of Data.--Subtitle A of 
     title XVI of such Act (10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1615. COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF DATA OF MILITARY 
                   DEPARTMENTS ON SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND 
                   RESPONSE.

       ``In carrying out the requirements of section 1611(b)(4), 
     the Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 
     Office shall do the following:
       ``(1) Collect from each military department on a quarterly 
     and annual basis data of such military department on sexual 
     assaults involving members of the Armed Forces in a manner 
     consistent with the policy and procedures developed pursuant 
     to section 586 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2012 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note) that protect the 
     privacy of individuals named in records and the status of 
     records.
       ``(2) Maintain data collected from the military departments 
     under paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Assemble from the data collected and maintained under 
     this section quarterly and annual reports on the involvement 
     of members of the Armed Forces in incidents of sexual 
     assault.
       ``(4) Develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of, and 
     compliance with, training and awareness objectives of the 
     military departments on sexual assault prevention and 
     response.
       ``(5) Establish categories of information to be provided by 
     the military departments in connection with reports on sexual 
     assault prevention and response, including, but not limited 
     to, the annual reports required by section 1631, and ensure 
     that the submittals of the military departments for purposes 
     of such reports include data within such categories.''.
       (c) Element on Unit of Accused and Victim in Case Synopses 
     in Annual Report on Sexual Assaults.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1631(f) of such Act (10 U.S.C. 
     1561 note) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs 
     (6) and (7), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph (5):
       ``(5) The case synopsis shall indicate the unit of each 
     member of the Armed Forces accused of committing a sexual 
     assault and the unit of each member of the Armed Forces who 
     is a victim of sexual assault.''.
       (2) Application of amendments.--The amendments made by 
     paragraph (1) shall apply beginning with the report regarding 
     sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces 
     required to be submitted by March 1, 2014, under section 1631 
     of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2011.

     SEC. 4. DISPOSITION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR RAPE AND 
                   SEXUAL ASSAULT OFFENSES UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE 
                   OF MILITARY JUSTICE.

       (a) Disposition and Other Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter VI of chapter 47 of title 10, 
     United States Code (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is 
     amended by inserting after section 830 (article 30) the 
     following new section (article):

     ``Sec. 830a. Art. 30a. Rape and sexual assault offenses: 
       disposition and other requirements

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this chapter, charges on offenses specified in subsection (b) 
     shall be subject to the disposition requirement in subsection 
     (c) and subject to the other requirements and limitations set 
     forth this section.
       ``(b) Covered Offenses.--The charges on offenses specified 
     in this subsection are charges on the offenses as follows:
       ``(1) Rape or sexual assault under section 920 of this 
     title (article 120).
       ``(2) An attempt to commit an offense specified in 
     paragraph (1) as punishable under section 880 of this title 
     (article 80).
       ``(c) Disposition Requirements.--(1) Subject to paragraph 
     (2), the charges on any offense specified in subsection (b) 
     shall be referred to an appropriate authority for convening 
     general courts-martial under section 822 of this title 
     (article 22) for disposition.
       ``(2) If the appropriate authority to which charges 
     described in paragraph (1) would be referred under that 
     paragraph is a member with direct supervisory authority over 
     the member alleged to have committed the offense, such 
     charges shall be referred to a superior authority competent 
     to convene a general court-martial.
       ``(d) Victim's Rights.--A victim of an offense specified in 
     subsection (b) shall have rights as follows:
       ``(1) To a Special Victims' Counsel provided under section 
     1565b(b) of this title.
       ``(2) To have all communications between the victim and any 
     Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Sexual Assault Victim 
     Advocate, or Special Victims' Counsel for the victim 
     considered privileged communications for purposes of the case 
     and any proceedings relating to the case.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of subchapter VI of chapter 47 of such title (the 
     Uniform Code of Military Justice) is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 830 (article 30) the 
     following new item:

``830a. Art. 30a. Rape and sexual assault offenses: disposition and 
              other requirements.''.
       (b) Revision of Manual for Courts-Martial.--The Joint 
     Service Committee on Military Justice shall amend the Manual 
     for Courts-Martial to reflect the requirements in section 
     830a of title 10, United States Code (article 830a of the 
     Uniform Code of Military Justice), as added by subsection 
     (b), including, in particular, section 306 of the Manual 
     relating to disposition of charges.

     SEC. 5. PROHIBITION ON SEXUAL ACTS AND CONTACT BETWEEN 
                   CERTAIN MILITARY INSTRUCTORS AND THEIR 
                   TRAINEES.

       (a) Prohibition.--Section 920 of title 10, United States 
     Code (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as 
     subsections (f) through (h); respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
     subsection (e):
       ``(e) Sexual Acts and Sexual Contact Between Certain 
     Military Instructors and Trainees.--
       ``(1) Enhanced prohibition on sexual assault.--A military 
     instructor who commits a sexual act upon a member of the 
     armed forces while the member is undergoing basic training 
     (or its equivalent) or within 30 days after completing such 
     training is guilty of sexual assault and shall be punished as 
     a court-martial may direct.
       ``(2) Enhanced prohibition on abusive sexual contact.--A 
     military instructor who commits or causes sexual contact upon 
     or by a member of the armed forces while the member is 
     undergoing basic training (or its equivalent), or within 30 
     days after completing such training, which instructor was not 
     the spouse of the member at the member's commencement of such 
     training, is guilty of abusive sexual contact and shall be 
     punished as a court-martial may direct.

[[Page 6312]]

       ``(3) Covered military instructors.--This subsection 
     applies with respect to the following members of the armed 
     forces otherwise subject to this chapter:
       ``(A) Drill Sergeants in the Army.
       ``(B) Drill Instructors in the Marine Corps.
       ``(C) Recruit Division Commanders in the Navy.
       ``(D) Military Training instructors in the Air Force.
       ``(E) Company Commanders in the Coast Guard.
       ``(F) Such other members of the armed forces as the 
     Secretary concerned may designate as having supervisory 
     authority over new recruits undergoing basic training (or its 
     equivalent).
       ``(4) Consent.--Lack of consent is not an element and need 
     not be proven in any prosecution under this subsection. 
     Consent is not a defense for any conduct in issue in any 
     prosecution under this subsection.''.
       (b) Cross References to Definitions.--Chapter 47 of title 
     10, United States Code (the Uniform Code of Military 
     Justice), is amended--
       (1) in section 920b(h)(1) (article 120b(h)(1)), by striking 
     ``section 920(g) of this title (article 120(g))'' and 
     inserting ``section 920 of this title (article 120)''; and
       (2) in section 920c(d)(1) (article 120c(d)(1)), by striking 
     ``section 920(g) of this title (article 120(g)))'' and 
     inserting ``section 920 of this title (article 120))''.

     SEC. 6. AVAILABILITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATORS 
                   FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

       (a) Availability in Each National Guard State and 
     Territory.--Section 584(a) of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81; 
     125 Stat. 1433; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph (2):
       ``(2) Availability in each national guard state and 
     territory.--The National Guard of each State and Territory 
     shall ensure that a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator is 
     available at all times to the members of the National Guard 
     of such State or Territory. The Secretary of the Army and the 
     Secretary of the Air Force may, in consultation with the 
     Chief of the National Guard Bureau, assign additional Sexual 
     Assault Response Coordinators in a State or Territory as 
     necessary based on the resource requirements of National 
     Guard units within such State or Territory. Any additional 
     Sexual Assault Response Coordinator may serve on a full-time 
     or part-time basis at the discretion of the assigning 
     Secretary.''.
       (b) Availability To Provide Assistance for Members of the 
     National Guard in State Status.--Section 1565b of title 10, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 2 of this Act, is 
     further amended in subsection (a)--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph (2):
       ``(2) In the case of a member of the National Guard in 
     State status under title 32 who is the victim of a sexual 
     assault, assistance provided by a Sexual Assault Response 
     Coordinator shall be provided by the Sexual Assault Response 
     Coordinator Assistance available in the State or Territory 
     concerned under paragraph (2) of section 584(a) of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (10 
     U.S.C. 1561 note), but, with the approval of the Secretary of 
     the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as applicable, 
     may also be provided by Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 
     assigned under paragraph (1) of that section.''.

  Ms. AYOTTE. Let me say I wish to thank very much my colleague from 
Washington, Senator Murray, for her leadership on this issue and for 
the opportunity to work together to address this very important issue 
of making sure we eliminate sexual assaults that occur within our 
military and that the victims of these crimes get the respect, the 
support, and the justice they deserve. I am very honored to work with 
Senator Murray, and I thank her so much for giving me the opportunity 
to work with her on this important legislation to address a very 
serious problem in our military.
  I approach this issue not just as someone who comes from a military 
family and has such great, deep respect for the military--as I know 
Senator Murray does with the important position she has on the 
Veterans' Committee--but also as someone who serves on the Armed 
Services Committee and someone who worked in my prior career 
extensively with victims of sexual assault. During my time as a 
prosecutor in New Hampshire and then later as the State's attorney 
general, I saw the devastating impact of these types of crimes.
  I also saw the real need to address what is too often a silent crime. 
The victims often suffer in silence for fear of coming forward and not 
being supported when they are to come forward and report a sexual 
assault.
  That is very important, and that is why I also supported efforts 
earlier this year--that I know Senator Murray was a very strong leader 
on--to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. I wish to thank her 
for her leadership on that as well.
  Currently, military sexual assault occurs at alarming levels 
throughout all branches of our military. According to the Department of 
Defenses estimates, 19,000 servicemembers were sexually assaulted in 
2011, a rate of over 52 per day. Despite these shocking figures, fewer 
than 2,800 assaults against servicemembers were reported to the 
Department of Defense over the same period.
  The Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 
Office's annual report, which was actually just released today at the 
same time that we are filing our legislation, concludes that the number 
of people who made an anonymous sexual assault claim but never reported 
the attack increased from 19,000 in 2011 to 26,000 in 2012, nearly a 
37-percent increase. Yet the number of reported sexual assaults against 
servicemembers only increased--in other words, those who did report and 
come forward--by about 8 percent. This is a dramatic example of people 
who were victims but feel they would have the support to come forward 
and report the crimes that were being committed against them.
  Astonishingly, as Senator Murray mentioned, just yesterday it was 
reported that the police arrested a lieutenant colonel in charge of the 
Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response branch and charged 
him with sexual battery, which brought this issue very much to the 
forefront, given the fact that this individual was charged with 
important responsibility over the Sexual Assault Prevention and 
Response Program.
  It is important to understand why sexual assault is so destructive, 
especially when it occurs in our military--of course, when it occurs 
anywhere. Sexual assault is a serious and unacceptable crime that can 
inflict lasting emotional and physical impact on the victims of these 
crimes that can last for years and throughout their lifetimes.
  In the military, sexual assault can also damage unit morale, 
readiness, the preparedness of our troops. Also, military sexual 
assault can negatively impact the well-earned reputation of those who 
serve honorably, which is obviously the overwhelming number of members 
of our military who serve our country with great courage and with great 
character.
  So we must aggressively tackle this problem to compassionately help 
victims but also to protect the good order and discipline that 
ultimately undermine and support the readiness of our military units. 
We do our military and our servicemembers little good if we ignore this 
problem.
  Conversely, it is very important we pass commonsense legislation that 
will help solve the problem. But we should make no mistake that, again, 
the vast majority of our men and women in uniform serve with tremendous 
dignity and honor, and the United States continues to be the very best 
military in the world because of the character, quality, and courage of 
our men and women in uniform. But when a servicemember fails to live up 
to our values and commits a sexual assault, we must ensure victims have 
the support they need and the perpetrators are held accountable and are 
brought to justice.
  That is why Senator Murray and I have introduced this legislation 
today. Our legislation, titled the ``Combating Military Sexual Assault 
Act,'' would expand and improve military sexual assault prevention and 
response resources available to the victims of these crimes. Building 
on the lessons we have learned from a pilot program already in place in 
the Air Force, our bill would provide trained special victims' counsels 
to victims in all service branches to help them throughout the process. 
These counsels can help comfort and advise victims after the crime

[[Page 6313]]

has occurred. The special victims' counsel also provides victims the 
confidence they need to come forward, report the crime, and seek 
justice.
  The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Welsh, testified this 
morning before the Armed Services Committee ``the evidence is clear'' 
that providing special victims' counsel to those who suffer from this 
crime has been ``immensely helpful'' in the Air Force. So every victim 
of crime within our Armed Services deserves to have the support of the 
special victims' counsel.
  Our bill would also ensure sexual assault response coordinators are 
available to members of the National Guard and Reserve at all times, 
regardless of whether the servicemember is operating under title 10 or 
title 32 authority. It is very important we get this in the law now so 
that our Guard men and women get the support they deserve. We could not 
have fought the battles and wars we have fought without their courage 
and bravery and the sacrifices they have made.
  Our bill would also make certain sexual assault cases are referred to 
the general court-martial level when sexual assault charges are filed 
or to the next superior competent authority when there is a conflict of 
interest in the immediate chain of command. Right now, the way the 
system is set up, there is not a set mechanism where there is a 
conflict of interest. This commonsense approach would recognize the 
uniquely devastating damage sexual assault crimes inflict on 
individuals and ensure that victims can have confidence in the military 
court justice system.
  In conclusion, allowing this problem to persist is simply 
unacceptable, both for the victims and for the morale and readiness of 
our forces that do so much to ensure the freedom of this country. We 
must continue to make clear that sexual assault in the military simply 
will not be tolerated, and we must match these words with actions. Our 
legislation does just that.
  I look forward to working with the Department of Defense, continuing 
to work with Senator Murray--and I thank her again for her leadership--
as well as my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle in 
strengthening existing laws and policies so that all military sexual 
assault victims can come forward without fear of retribution and with 
the confidence they will receive the support, care, and justice they 
deserve from our country.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I want to thank my colleagues for 
working on military sexual assault. Senator Gillibrand and I and others 
are working on a way to handle these assaults which takes them out of 
the chain of command and makes sure the prosecutors get the chance to 
decide whether a case goes forward, and no one in the chain of command 
can overturn a military court that makes a decision.
  So I look forward to working with all my colleagues, female 
colleagues and male colleagues, because this is an absolute disgrace 
for the greatest Nation on Earth. We have to change a culture that 
somehow is permissive toward violence against women, and might I add 
men as well, when we look at the numbers. There is a lot of sexual 
violence against men in the military in terms of numbers--more cases 
against men than women--but in terms of percentages, there are more 
against women. It is a terrible situation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 882. A bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to 
integrate public libraries into State and local workforce investment 
boards, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Workforce 
Investments through Local Libraries Act or the WILL Act with Senator 
Cochran. During these challenging economic times, our one-stop system 
has been stretched to the limit. Stepping in to help have been our 
public libraries, which have always been a key access point for people 
looking for employment or looking to make a career change. According to 
the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 30 million Americans used 
a library computer to help address their career and employment needs in 
2009.
  The Employment and Training Administration and the Institute of 
Museum and Library Services have developed a partnership to highlight 
effective practices and encourage collaboration between the workforce 
investment system and public libraries, but more needs to be done. 
There are more than four times as many libraries as one-stop centers in 
high unemployment counties. We could greatly expand the reach of the 
workforce investment system by fully integrating public libraries into 
the delivery system and providing them with the resources they need to 
better assist Americans in finding work.
  The Workforce Investments through Local Libraries, WILL, Act will 
strengthen the connection between the public library system and the 
one-stop system to better serve job seekers. The WILL Act will give 
library users access to workforce activities and information related to 
training services and employment opportunities, including resume 
development, job bank web searches, literacy services, and workshops on 
career information. The goal of the WILL Act is to enable libraries to 
access Workforce Investment Act resources to continue to provide job 
search support in communities all across America.
  Specifically, the WILL Act amends the Workforce Investment Act, WIA, 
to: include library representation on state and local workforce 
investment boards; ensure the coordination of employment, training, and 
literacy services carried out by public libraries as part of the state 
workforce investment plan; recognize public libraries as an allowable 
``One-Stop'' partner; authorize new demonstration and pilot projects to 
establish employment resources in public libraries; and encourage the 
Employment and Training Administration to collaborate with other 
federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, to leverage and expand access to workforce development 
resources.
  To get Americans back to work, we need to leverage all of our 
community assets. Public libraries play a vital role in providing 
access to information, technology, support, and other essential 
resources to help Americans find good jobs and build successful 
careers. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Cochran and me in 
cosponsoring the WILL Act and to support its inclusion in the effort to 
renew the Workforce Investment Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Coburn, and Mr. 
        Rockefeller):
  S. 884. A bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to 
develop a watch list and a priority watch list of foreign countries 
that engage in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace with 
respect to United States trade secrets or proprietary information, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, one aspect of cybersecurity threats from 
foreign nations relates directly to America's global competitiveness.
  If American entrepreneurs are known for one thing, it is innovation. 
That innovation costs money. American companies invest billions and 
billions of dollars every year on research and development to create 
products that are the best in the world. Companies in my State alone 
invest $16 billion a year in research and development. When these 
investments succeed American companies are often the leaders in their 
industries at home and in overseas markets, offering technologies that 
are not available elsewhere. This is a huge competitive value and one 
that we must protect.
  But too many U.S. companies of all sizes are being robbed of their 
intellectual property, the engine of their businesses, and the American 
economy is being undermined through cyber theft. Often the culprits are 
foreign governments. To make matters worse, these governments share the 
stolen technology with companies that compete

[[Page 6314]]

with the very U.S. companies that developed the technology in the first 
place.
  General Keith B. Alexander, head of the National Security Agency and 
U.S. Cyber Command, recently called the theft of intellectual property 
from U.S. entities through cyberspace ``the greatest transfer of wealth 
in history.'' He estimated that such theft costs U.S. companies and 
institutions hundreds of billions of dollars. It is outrageous that 
American trade secrets are being stolen and used to compete against us. 
So who is responsible?
  As far back as 2011, the National Counterintelligence Executive said 
in its annual report to Congress that ``Chinese actors are the world's 
most active and persistent perpetrators of economic espionage. U.S. 
private sector firms and cybersecurity specialists have reported an 
onslaught of computer network intrusions that have originated in 
China.''
  In March of this year, Mandiant, a company that investigates private 
sector cyber security breaches, published a report describing how a 
cyber-espionage unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army raided the 
computers of at least 141 different organizations, stealing 
``technology blueprints, proprietary manufacturing processes, test 
results, business plans, pricing documents, [and] partnership 
agreements.'' According to Mandiant, the industries targeted by the PLA 
``match industries that China has identified as strategic to their 
growth.'' Mandiant's report exposed PLA cyber theft aimed at the 
information technology, transportation, aerospace, satellites and 
telecommunications, and high end electronics industries, to name just a 
few.
  U.S. government reports also point to China. Just last week the U.S. 
Trade Representative issued its ``Special 301'' report reviewing the 
global state of intellectual property rights, IPR. USTR stated that 
``Obtaining effective enforcement of IPR in China remains a central 
challenge, as it has been for many years.'' The report continued ``This 
situation has been made worse by cyber theft, as information suggests 
that actors located in China have been engaged in sophisticated, 
targeted efforts to steal [intellectual property] from U.S. corporate 
systems.''
  Also last week, an article in Bloomberg described cyber espionage 
conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army against QinetiQ, a 
defense contractor. The article said the PLA operation ``jeopardized 
the [victim] company's sensitive technology involving drones, 
satellites, the U.S. Army's combat helicopter fleet, and military 
robotics, both already-deployed systems and those still in 
development.'' The report stated that the Chinese ``hackers had 
burrowed into almost every corner of QinetiQ's U.S. operations, 
including production facilities and engineering labs in St. Louis, 
Pittsburgh, Long Beach, Mississippi, Huntsville, Alabama and 
Albuquerque, New Mexico, where QinetiQ engineers work on satellite-
based espionage, among other projects.''
  It is time that we fought back to protect American businesses and 
American innovation. We need to call out those who are responsible for 
cyber theft and empower the President to hit the thieves where it hurts 
most--in their wallets.
  Today, I am introducing a bill along with Senators McCain, Coburn and 
Rockefeller that calls on the Director of National Intelligence, DNI, 
to develop a list of foreign countries that engage in economic or 
industrial espionage in cyberspace with respect to U.S. trade secrets 
or proprietary information. We have done something similar under the 
Special 301 process for intellectual property rights infringements in 
foreign countries.
  Specifically, our legislation requires the DNI to publish an annual 
report listing foreign countries that engage in, facilitate, support or 
tolerate economic and industrial espionage targeting U.S. trade secrets 
or proprietary information through cyberspace. That report would 
identify:
  A watch list of foreign countries that engage in economic or 
industrial espionage in cyberspace with respect to trade secrets or 
proprietary information owned by United States persons; it would 
identify a priority watch list of foreign countries that are the most 
egregious offenders; U.S. technologies targeted for economic or 
industrial espionage in cyberspace and U.S. technologies that have been 
stolen, to the extent that is known; articles manufactured or produced 
or services provided, without permission from the rights holder, using 
such stolen technologies or proprietary information; foreign companies, 
including state-owned enterprises, that benefit from stolen 
technologies or proprietary information; details of the economic or 
industrial espionage engaged in by foreign countries; and actions taken 
by DNI and other Federal agencies and progress made to decrease foreign 
economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace against United States 
persons.
  Creating a ``name and shame'' list, as this report would do, will 
shine a spotlight on those who are stealing U.S. technologies. But we 
need more than a report, we need action.
  Our bill provides for more than a report. In order to enforce 
compliance with laws protecting U.S. patents, copyrights, and other 
intellectual property and protection of the Department of Defense 
supply chain, our legislation requires the President to block imports 
of products if they: contain stolen U.S. technology or proprietary 
information, or are produced by a state-owned enterprise of a country 
on the priority watch list and are the same as or similar to products 
made using the stolen or targeted U.S. technology or proprietary 
information identified in the report, or are made by a company 
identified in the report as having benefitted from the stolen U.S. 
technology or proprietary information.
  Blocking imports of products that either incorporate intellectual 
property stolen from U.S. companies or are from companies otherwise 
that benefit from cyber theft will send the message that we have had 
enough. If foreign governments--like the Chinese government--want to 
continue to deny their involvement in cyber theft despite the proof, 
that's one thing. We can't stop the denials on the face of facts. But 
we aren't without remedies. We can prevent the companies that benefit 
from the theft--including state-owned companies from getting away with 
the benefits of that theft. Maybe once they understand that complicity 
will cost them access to the U.S. market, they will press their 
governments to stop or refuse to benefit at least. We will hit them 
where it hurts with this legislation and we aim to get results.
  We have stood by for far too long while our intellectual property and 
proprietary information is plundered in cyberspace and in turn used to 
undercut the very companies that developed it. It is now time to act. 
Our legislation will give our Government powerful tools to fight back 
against these crimes and protect the investments and property of U.S. 
companies and institutions. I urge my colleagues to work to enact this 
very important legislation as quickly as possible. We have no time to 
lose.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 884

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Deter Cyber Theft Act''.

     SEC. 2. ACTIONS TO ADDRESS FOREIGN ECONOMIC OR INDUSTRIAL 
                   ESPIONAGE IN CYBERSPACE.

       (a) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
     Director of National Intelligence shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on foreign 
     economic and industrial espionage in cyberspace during the 
     12-month period preceding the submission of the report that--
       (A) identifies--
       (i) foreign countries that engage in economic or industrial 
     espionage in cyberspace with respect to trade secrets or 
     proprietary information owned by United States persons;

[[Page 6315]]

       (ii) foreign countries identified under clause (i) that the 
     Director determines engage in the most egregious economic or 
     industrial espionage in cyberspace with respect to such trade 
     secrets or proprietary information (in this section referred 
     to as ``priority foreign countries'');
       (iii) technologies or proprietary information developed by 
     United States persons that--

       (I) are targeted for economic or industrial espionage in 
     cyberspace; and
       (II) to the extent practicable, have been appropriated 
     through such espionage;

       (iv) articles manufactured or otherwise produced using 
     technologies or proprietary information described in clause 
     (iii)(II);
       (v) services provided using such technologies or 
     proprietary information; and
       (vi) foreign entities, including entities owned or 
     controlled by the government of a foreign country, that 
     request, engage in, support, facilitate, or benefit from the 
     appropriation through economic or industrial espionage in 
     cyberspace of technologies or proprietary information 
     developed by United States persons;
       (B) describes the economic or industrial espionage engaged 
     in by the foreign countries identified under clauses (i) and 
     (ii) of subparagraph (A); and
       (C) describes--
       (i) actions taken by the Director and other Federal 
     agencies to decrease the prevalence of economic or industrial 
     espionage in cyberspace; and
       (ii) the progress made in decreasing the prevalence of such 
     espionage.
       (2) Determination of foreign countries engaging in economic 
     or industrial espionage in cyberspace.--For purposes of 
     clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A), the Director shall 
     identify a foreign country as a foreign country that engages 
     in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace with 
     respect to trade secrets or proprietary information owned by 
     United States persons if the government of the foreign 
     country--
       (A) engages in economic or industrial espionage in 
     cyberspace with respect to trade secrets or proprietary 
     information owned by United States persons; or
       (B) facilitates, supports, fails to prosecute, or otherwise 
     permits such espionage by--
       (i) individuals who are citizens or residents of the 
     foreign country; or
       (ii) entities that are organized under the laws of the 
     foreign country or are otherwise subject to the jurisdiction 
     of the government of the foreign country.
       (3) Prioritization of collection and analysis of 
     information.--The President shall direct the Director to make 
     it a priority for the intelligence community to collect and 
     analyze information in order to identify articles described 
     in clause (iv) of paragraph (1)(A), services described in 
     clause (v) of that paragraph, and entities described in 
     clause (vi) of that paragraph.
       (4) Form of report.--Each report required by paragraph (1) 
     shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a 
     classified annex.
       (b) Action by President.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after each report 
     required by subsection (a)(1) is submitted, the President 
     shall direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to exclude 
     from entry into the United States an article described in 
     paragraph (2) if the President determines the exclusion of 
     the article is warranted--
       (A) for the enforcement of intellectual property rights; or
       (B) to protect the integrity of the Department of Defense 
     supply chain.
       (2) Article described.--An article described in this 
     paragraph is an article--
       (A) identified under subsection (a)(1)(A)(iv);
       (B) produced or exported by an entity that--
       (i) is owned or controlled by the government of a priority 
     foreign country; and
       (ii) produces or exports articles that are the same as or 
     similar to articles manufactured or otherwise produced using 
     technologies or proprietary information identified under 
     subsection (a)(1)(A)(iii); or
       (C) produced or exported by an entity identified under 
     subsection (a)(1)(A)(vi).
       (c) Consistency With International Agreements.--This 
     section shall be applied in a manner that is consistent with 
     the obligations of the United States under international 
     agreements.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on 
     Finance, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the 
     Committee on Ways and Means, and the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Cyberspace.--The term ``cyberspace''--
       (A) means the interdependent network of information 
     technology infrastructures; and
       (B) includes the Internet, telecommunications networks, 
     computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers.
       (3) Economic or industrial espionage.--The term ``economic 
     or industrial espionage'' means--
       (A) stealing a trade secret or proprietary information or 
     appropriating, taking, carrying away, or concealing, or by 
     fraud, artifice, or deception obtaining, a trade secret or 
     proprietary information without the authorization of the 
     owner of the trade secret or proprietary information;
       (B) copying, duplicating, downloading, uploading, 
     destroying, transmitting, delivering, sending, communicating, 
     or conveying a trade secret or proprietary information 
     without the authorization of the owner of the trade secret or 
     proprietary information; or
       (C) knowingly receiving, buying, or possessing a trade 
     secret or proprietary information that has been stolen or 
     appropriated, obtained, or converted without the 
     authorization of the owner of the trade secret or proprietary 
     information.
       (4) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence 
     community'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) 
     of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)).
       (5) Own.--The term ``own'', with respect to a trade secret 
     or proprietary information, means to hold rightful legal or 
     equitable title to, or license in, the trade secret or 
     proprietary information.
       (6) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or 
     entity.
       (7) Proprietary information.--The term ``proprietary 
     information'' means competitive bid preparations, negotiating 
     strategies, executive emails, internal financial data, 
     strategic business plans, technical designs, manufacturing 
     processes, source code, data derived from research and 
     development investments, and other commercially valuable 
     information that a person has developed or obtained if--
       (A) the person has taken reasonable measures to keep the 
     information confidential; and
       (B) the information is not generally known or readily 
     ascertainable through proper means by the public.
       (8) Technology.--The term ``technology'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 16 of the Export Administration 
     Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2415) (as in effect pursuant to 
     the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
     1701 et seq.)).
       (9) Trade secret.--The term ``trade secret'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 1839 of title 18, United 
     States Code.
       (10) United states person.--The term ``United States 
     person'' means--
       (A) an individual who is a citizen of the United States or 
     an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the 
     United States; or
       (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States 
     or any jurisdiction within the United States.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Moran, and Mr. 
        Tester):
  S. 889. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the 
Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, the Transition Assistance Program, TAP, 
provides training to servicemembers regarding veteran benefits, job 
search skills, pre-separation counseling, resume writing, how to 
prepare for interviews, and other transition training. TAP is a great 
program; however, there is always room for improvement. For this 
reason, I am joining with Senator's Moran and Manchin to introduce 
their Servicemembers' Choice in Transition Act of 2013. This 
legislation enhances the content of TAP to enable those leaving 
military service to better utilize their GI Bill benefits as a way to 
transition to civilian employment. It also makes TAP more interactive 
and provides a better fit for each servicemembers' personal transition 
goals.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 889

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Servicemembers' Choice in 
     Transition Act 0f 2013''.

     SEC. 2. CONTENTS OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 1144 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:

[[Page 6316]]

       ``(9) Provide information about disability-related 
     employment and education protections.''.
       (2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as 
     subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection (c):
       ``(c) Additional Elements of Program.--The mandatory 
     program carried out under this section shall include--
       ``(1) for any member who plans to use the member's 
     entitlement to educational assistance under title 38--
       ``(A) instruction providing an overview of the use of such 
     entitlement; and
       ``(B) testing to determine academic readiness for post-
     secondary education, courses of post-secondary education 
     appropriate for the member, courses of post-secondary 
     education compatible with the member's education goals, and 
     instruction on how to finance the member's post-secondary 
     education; and
       ``(2) instruction in the benefits under laws administered 
     by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and in other subjects 
     determined by the Secretary concerned.''.
       (b) Deadline for Implementation.--The program carried out 
     under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, shall 
     comply with the requirements of subsections (b)(9) and (c) of 
     such section, as added by subsection (a), by not later than 
     April 1, 2015.
       (c) Feasibility Study.--Not later than 270 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the House of Representatives the results of 
     a study carried out by the Secretary to determine the 
     feasibility of providing the instruction described in 
     subsection (b) of section 1142 of title 10, United States 
     Code, at all overseas locations where such instruction is 
     provided by entering into a contract jointly with the 
     Secretary of Labor for the provision of such instruction.

                          ____________________