Sec. 556. Participation by complaining witnesses in clemency phase of courts-martial process
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Section 860(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 60(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: If an accused elects to submit matters for consideration by the convening authority under this subsection, a copy of any portion of such matters that refers to a complaining witness shall be provided to the complaining witness before the convening authority takes any action on the findings or sentence under this section.
Upon receipt of matters under this paragraph, a complaining witness shall have 10 days to submit materials in response to such matters to the convening authority. If a complaining witness shows that additional time is required for submission of materials under this subparagraph, the convening authority or other person taking action under this section, for good cause, may extend the applicable period for submission of such materials for not more than an additional 20 days. In any case in which findings and sentence have been adjudged for an offense involving a complaining witness, the complaining witness shall be provided an opportunity to submit matters to the convening authority for consideration prior to taking action under this section.
The convening authority shall not consider under this section any submitted matters that go to the character of a complaining witness unless such matters were presented at the court-martial. .