Vanessa Guillén Act signed into Texas state law
EL PASO, TEXAS (CBS4) — A bill proposed by Texas Senator Cesar Blanco, aimed at protecting women in the military from sexual assault, is being signed into law today.
S.B 623 or The Vanessa Guillén Act was signed into law today by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
According to Blanco, the bill will allow for people who experience sexual assault in any of the military services, to report it outside the military chain of command.
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The piece of legislation was named for Army specialist Vanessa Guillén who was murdered by a fellow soldier while serving at Fort Hood last year.
Her death would go on to spark a cry for reform changes across many military posts and bases.
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“Our military failed to protect Specialist Vanessa Guillén and countless others from sexual assault,” said Senator Blanco. “With my bill, Texas is leading by example in protecting our service members and providing justice to victims.”
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