PLEAS OF THE ACCUSED.

SEC. 5227. PLEAS OF THE ACCUSED. (a) Pleas of Guilty.—Subsection (b) of section 845 of title 10, United States Code (article 45 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking “may be adjudged” and inserting “is mandatory”; and (2) in the second sentence— (A) by striking “or by a court-martial without a military judge”; and (B) by striking “, if permitted by regulations of the Secretary concerned,”. (b) Harmless Error.—Such section (article) is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(c) Harmless Error. A variance from the requirements of this article is harmless error if the variance does not materially prejudice the substantial rights of the accused.” . (c) Subsection Heading Amendments for Stylistic Consistency.—Such section (article) is further amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting “Irregular and Similar Pleas.—” after “(a)”; and (2) in subsection (b), by inserting “Pleas of Guilty.—” after “(b)”.