Harry Lew and Danny Chen Military Justice Reform Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9024
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-26: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-22T21:46:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to study whether the military should create a dedicated offense for hazing in its justice system. The bill is named the "Harry Lew and Danny Chen Military Justice Reform Act."
Key Provisions
- The Secretary of Defense, working with the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice, must examine the practicality and value of adding a new punitive article on hazing to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (the set of laws governing military crimes).
- As part of the review, the Secretary must create a proposed definition of "hazing."
- A report on the findings and recommendations must be sent to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill does not alter current law. It only requires an analysis and report; any actual change to the Uniform Code of Military Justice would require future legislation.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Defense would conduct the required study, potentially influencing how hazing cases are handled in military courts.
- Citizens: Service members could see clearer rules and possibly stronger enforcement against hazing if a new article is later adopted.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Active-duty and reserve military personnel.
- The Department of Defense and its legal offices.
- Congressional committees overseeing military affairs.
- Families and advocates concerned with hazing incidents in the armed forces.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill focuses on improving military justice processes without raising constitutional issues in the text itself. By calling for a specific hazing offense, it could lead to more consistent prosecution of such conduct if implemented. The legislation is presented as a response to past hazing cases involving service members.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (18)
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-26: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-05-26: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Harry Lew and Danny Chen Military Justice Reform Act — issued 2026-05-26 — PDF (2 pages)