A federal judge has sentenced a Texas woman to 30 years in prison for helping to dispose of the body of a U.S. soldier.

A federal judge has sentenced a Texas woman to 30 years in prison for helping to dispose of the body of a U.S. soldier.

The 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier’s murder prompted nationwide outrage and calls to reform the way the military addresses sexual violence within its ranks.

On Monday, President Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, enacting provisions of the “I Am Vanessa Guillén Act.” The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

The Army has begun hiring more agents and support staff for its criminal investigations, as the new civilian director works to correct widespread failures that surfaced last year after a string of murders and other crimes at Fort Hood, Texas.

Lawmakers on Wednesday morning will introduce the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would move the decision to prosecute serious crimes in the military from the chain of command.

A judge has denied a request to suppress the confession of a woman accused of helping kill and dismember Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found.

The Army is putting a civilian in charge of its criminal investigations, adding staff and freeing up more agents to work on cases, in a plan to address widespread failures that surfaced last year after a string of murders and other crimes at Fort Hood, Texas.

U.S. officials say the Army plans to put a civilian in charge of the command that conducts criminal investigations, in response to widespread criticism that the unit is understaffed, overwhelmed and filled with inexperienced investigators.

March 25, 2020. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas TribuneShuttered businesses on Sixth Street in Austin during the COVID-19 pandemic on March 19, 2020. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted businesses statewide. July 17, 2020. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneJuan Lopez works to remove a dead body from a home in McAllen. July 17, 2020. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneJuan Lopez sprays disinfectant after placing a body in the interior of his vehicle in McAllen. Sept. 4, 2020. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneAtticus Sandlin works to provide support and empowerment to LGBTQ youth. Nov. 7, 2020. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneFirst: Trump supporters gathered outside the Texas Capitol in November to protest President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.

A memorial for Specialist Vanessa Guillén outside the Fort Hood U.S. Army post in Killeen. A “significant number” of U.S Army officers and soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas are expected to be fired in an effort to correct a years-long culture of sexual assault and a pattern of violence at the base, the Associated Press reported. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy is expected to remove soldiers from their jobs and trigger investigations that could lead to wider punishments, according to the AP. Guillén was the victim of sexual harassment, her sister said, but she didn’t report the sexual harassment out of fear of retaliation. Between 2014 and 2019, an average of 129 felonies were committed annually at Fort Hood, including murder, kidnapping and sexual assault.