California Bill Could Change Military Sex Assault
US News and World Report writes:
A new initiative in California may succeed where the federal government has so far failed in reforming military sexual assaults.
The state is taking another crack at fixing what critics consider an inherent bias among military commanders forced to pass judgment against their own subordinates in these sensitive cases.
California State Senate Bill 1422 would turn over some sexual assault cases involving members of its National Guard to the civilian military justice system, removing commanders from overseeing the process. The bill, introduced by state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, passed unanimously in the Senate on Tuesday and now awaits the State Assembly for consideration.
