H.R. 7621 · 117th Congress
Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
3 cosponsors · 3 D
3 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to designate a senior official to serve as the civilian harm investigation coordinator to conduct a review of each investigation of civilian harm and assess whether applicable laws, policies, guidelines, and processes were followed during the investigations.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Apr 28, 2022
Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to designate a senior official to serve as the civilian harm investigation coordinator to conduct a review of each investigation of civilian harm and assess whether applicable laws, policies, guidelines, and processes were followed during the investigations. DOD must also appoint a general counsel to assist the coordinator with such duties.
The coordinator must annually submit to Congress a report on civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations during the preceding year.
DOD must make publicly available in an electronic format a detailed list of all ex gratia payments (i.e., payments that are not legally required) and other payments in response to civilian harm paid by the United States. Some information may be excluded to ensure safety or privacy of payment recipients. DOD must provide specified information to Congress to certify the need for confidentiality.
DOD must provide an easily accessible electronic method by which individuals may request ex gratia or other condolence payments.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act
Latest action (Apr 28, 2022): Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Apr 28, 2022
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.