The way the U.S. military handles sexual assault cases is changing. As directed in an executive order from President Joe Biden, some of the most serious crimes such as sexual assault and murder are being transferred outside of the purview of victims’ commanders to outside prosecutors, a major change in the military’s Uniform Code of Justice.

Biden signed the order on Friday, July 28 and new rules immediately went into effect. These cases will now be handled by the Offices of Special Trial Counsel, an independent panel made up of prosecutors. Under prior rules, commanders decided whether or not to prosecute these cases, which include sexual assault, domestic abuse and murder. The changes, which implement reforms passed by Congress last year, mark “the most significant transformation” of the U.S. military justice system since the UCMJ was established in 1950, according to the White House in a Friday statement on the signing.

Under the new rules, rulings by the Offices of Special Trial Counsel will be final, and commanders cannot overrule them.