A bill to authorize the payment of fees for civilian counsel and other expenses connected with the defense of members of the Armed Forces charged with certain crimes committed while engaged in combat.

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Asserts that a member of the Armed Forces who is charged with unlawful battery, maiming, mutilation, torture, or killing of any noncombatant civilian or member of an opposing military force while engaged in combat shall be provided with a civilian counsel of his own choice at the expense of the United States, including investigative, expert and other services necessary for an adequate defense of the offense charged. Provides that any civilian attorney so selected shall be compensated at a rate approved by the court concerned. States that such attorney shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses. Provides that all fees and expenses authorized by this Act shall be paid from the appropriation made for active duty pay of the armed force in which the accused member was serving at the time of the offense.…