Shield Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 12, 2013

Shield Act - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to permit a Special Victims' Counsel who is representing an alleged victim of a rape, sexual assault, or forcible sodomy offense to speak on behalf of such victim in a preliminary criminal investigation (Article 32 Investigation) of any such offense when the victim has the right to be heard. Prohibits: (1) questions during such investigation about the sexual behavior of an alleged victim that is not directly related to the charge or specification being investigated, or (2) the admission of any evidence to prove or show a sexual predisposition on the part of an alleged victim.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13] · D–OH

Committees

Armed Services Committee

4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jan 24, 2014
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Dec 12, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Dec 12, 2013
Introduced in House
Dec 12, 2013
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Dec 12, 2013 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3767 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3767, 113th Congress: Shield Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3767

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr3767/BILLS-113hr3767ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:35:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3767 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3767 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3767, 113th Congress: Shield Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3767

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr3767/BILLS-113hr3767ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:35:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3767 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3767 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3767, 113th Congress: Shield Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3767

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr3767/BILLS-113hr3767ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:35:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3767 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3767 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3767, 113th Congress: Shield Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3767

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-12-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr3767/BILLS-113hr3767ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:35:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3767 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.