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Guard legal advocates, sponsor urge aligning Washington Code of Military Justice with federal victims'rights protections
Summary
Sponsors and military legal advocates told the committee HB 24 17 closes a gap in the Washington Code of Military Justice so victims of offenses while serving in state status receive the same statutory protections available under the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice; the bill was heard and scheduled for exec session.
House Bill 24 17, which would align the Washington Code of Military Justice (WCMJ) with federal Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) victim-rights protections, drew unanimous pro testimony Friday.
Representative Michael Keaton, the bill's prime sponsor, said the measure would close a statutory gap that leaves members of the Washington National Guard with fewer victims'rights protections when they serve under state authority than they enjoy under federal Title 10 service.
"You can't have that disconnect," Keaton said, describing the bill as…
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