RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY ON CIVILIAN CASUALTY MATTERS.

SEC. 936. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY ON CIVILIAN CASUALTY MATTERS.(a) Designation of Senior Civilian Official.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy shall designate a senior civilian official of the Department of Defense within the Office of the Secretary of Defense at or above the level of Assistant Secretary of Defense to develop, coordinate, and oversee compliance with the policy of the Department relating to civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations.(b) Responsibilities.—The senior civilian official designated under subsection (a) shall ensure that the policy referred to in that subsection provides for—(1) uniform processes and standards across the combatant commands for accurately recording kinetic strikes by the United States military;(2) the development and dissemination of best practices for reducing the likelihood of civilian casualties from United States military operations;(3) the development of publicly available means, including an Internet-based mechanism, for the submittal to the United States Government of allegations of civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations;(4) uniform processes and standards across the combatant commands for reviewing and investigating allegations of civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations, including the consideration of relevant information from all available sources;(5) uniform processes and standards across the combatant commands for—(A) acknowledging the responsibility of the United States military for civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations; and(B) offering ex gratia payments to civilians who have been injured, or to the families of civilians killed, as a result of United States military operations, as determined to be necessary by the designated senior civilian official;132 STAT. 1940(6) regular engagement with relevant intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations;(7) public affairs guidance with respect to matters relating to civilian casualties alleged or confirmed to have resulted from United States military operations; and(8) such other matters with respect to civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations as the designated senior civilian official considers appropriate.(c) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the senior civilian official designated under subsection (a) shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that describes—(1) the policy developed by the senior civilian official under that subsection; and(2) the efforts of the Department to implement such policy.