Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District today introduced the National Guard Military Sexual Trauma Parity Act. This bipartisan legislation would close a loophole in current law and enable victims of sexual trauma who are members of the National Guard to receive the resources and services they need, no matter when the sexual assault took place. Under current law, victims of military sexual assault who are in the National Guard can qualify for VA benefits and services, such as counseling and other forms of treatment, only if the assault occurred while on active duty. These benefits and services do not extend to victims sexually assaulted during mandatory training missions. Members of the Guard are required to spend one weekend a month and two weeks a year on training missions. 

Titus is the Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. The legislation was introduced with 14 bipartisan cosponsors. 

“Guardsmembers who are "always ready, always there" to protect our country deserve the same support of their government. Unfortunately, under current law, we have fallen short of this obligation,” said Titus. “My bill would close a glaring loophole in our laws to ensure that victims of sexual assault in the National Guard receive the care they need no matter when the assault took place.”