S. 538 · 113th Congress
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the authorities and responsibilities of convening authorities in taking actions on the findings and sentences of courts-martial.
- Stage
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Claire McCaskill
- Introduced
- 2013-03-12
- Latest action
- 2013-06-04 · Committee on Armed Services. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-320.
Summary
Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to require a convening authority (the official acting on the sentence of a court-martial), when taking any action other than approving a sentence, to prepare a written justification of such action which shall be made part of the record of the court-martial.
Prohibits a convening authority (or person acting in such capacity) from: (1) dismissing or setting aside a finding of guilty, or (2) reducing a finding of guilty to a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense. Repeals an inconsistent UCMJ provision.