I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4857 
To improve passenger vessel security and safety, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 1, 2025 
Ms. MATSUI introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To improve passenger vessel security and safety, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025’’. 
(b) REFERENCES TO TITLE 46, UNITED STATES 
CODE.—Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever 
in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms 
of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provi-
sion, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
section or other provision of title 46, United States Code. 
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SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; references. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—COVERED PASSENGER VESSEL CONSUMER SERVICE 
AND PROTECTION 
Sec. 101. Covered passenger vessel consumer service improvements. 
Sec. 102. Cruise line passenger bill of rights; advisory committee for covered 
passenger vessel consumer protection. 
Sec. 103. Assistance to victims of crimes on board certain passenger vessels. 
Sec. 104. Clerical amendments. 
TITLE II—CRUISE VESSEL PASSENGER IMPROVEMENTS 
Sec. 201. Cruise vessel chapter organization, application, and definitions. 
Sec. 202. Crime reporting and public notice. 
Sec. 203. Crime prevention, documentation, and response requirements. 
Sec. 204. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements. 
Sec. 205. Enforcement. 
Sec. 206. Technical and conforming amendments. 
TITLE I—COVERED PASSENGER 
VESSEL CONSUMER SERVICE 
AND PROTECTION 
SEC. 101. COVERED PASSENGER VESSEL CONSUMER SERV-
ICE IMPROVEMENTS. 
Subtitle II is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘PART L—OFFICE OF MARITIME CONSUMER 
PROTECTION 
‘‘CHAPTER 161—OFFICE OF MARITIME 
CONSUMER PROTECTION 
‘‘16101. Definitions. 
‘‘16102. Application. 
‘‘16103. Office of Maritime Consumer Protection. 
‘‘16104. Covered passenger vessel consumer service improvements. 
‘‘16105. Invalidation of pre-dispute arbitration and class action waiver clauses 
in certain contracts relating to covered passenger vessel trans-
portation. 
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‘‘§ 16104. Covered passenger vessel consumer service 
improvements 
‘‘(a) PASSAGE CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS.— 
‘‘(A) PASSENGER
VESSELS.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date on which the advi-
sory committee makes its recommendations 
under section 102(b)(6)(C) of the Cruise Pas-
senger Protection Act of 2025, the Secretary, 
acting through the Assistant General Counsel, 
shall develop standards for use by an owner of 
a covered passenger vessel that is a passenger 
vessel or, subject to subparagraph (B), a small 
passenger vessel, to provide a prospective appli-
cable passenger with a summary that highlights 
key terms in the passage contract and is pro-
vided before such terms are binding. 
‘‘(B) SMALL
PASSENGER
VESSELS.—The 
Secretary shall determine the extent to which 
standards developed under subparagraph (A) 
shall apply with respect to passage contracts for 
small passenger vessels. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—In developing the stand-
ards under paragraph (1), the Secretary may consult 
with other Federal agencies, persons with expertise 
on admiralty and maritime law, consumer advocates, 
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industry representatives, and such other persons as 
the Secretary considers necessary. 
‘‘(3) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—The statute 
of limitations for filing a lawsuit against the owner 
of a covered passenger vessel, which shall not be 
shorter than 3 years, shall be clearly identified in 
the passage contract described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The standards de-
veloped under paragraph (1) shall include rec-
ommendations regarding— 
‘‘(A) style, formatting, and placement that 
ensures that the summary is conspicuous; and 
‘‘(B) terminology that ensures that the 
summary is— 
‘‘(i) clear, unambiguous, and unmis-
takable; and 
‘‘(ii) to the greatest extent possible, 
uniform, concise, and not complex. 
‘‘(5) PERIODIC REVIEW.—The Secretary shall 
periodically review and update, as appropriate, the 
standards developed under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(6) REQUIREMENTS.—Beginning on the date 
that is 180 days after the date on which the stand-
ards are developed under paragraph (1), an owner of 
a covered passenger vessel shall— 
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‘‘(A) provide each prospective applicable 
passenger with a summary in accordance with 
the standards that apply to the covered pas-
senger vessel under paragraph (1); 
‘‘(B) include a prominently accessible link 
to the summary on each internet website that 
the owner maintains for prospective applicable 
passengers to purchase or book passage on the 
covered passenger vessel; and 
‘‘(C) include the summary in any pro-
motional literature or advertising, through any 
medium of communication in the United States 
offering passage or soliciting applicable pas-
sengers for ocean voyages anywhere in the 
world, that the Secretary considers necessary to 
adequately notify a prospective applicable pas-
senger of the key terms in the passage contract 
before such terms are binding. 
‘‘(7) PREEMPTION.—The standards developed 
under paragraph (1) shall preempt any related State 
standards that require a summary that provides less 
information to a prospective applicable passenger 
than the information required to be provided under 
this subsection, as determined by the Secretary. 
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‘‘(b) COVERED
PASSENGER
VESSEL
CONSUMER 
COMPLAINTS.— 
‘‘(1) TOLL-FREE
HOTLINE
AND
INTERNET 
WEBSITE LINK FOR CONSUMER PASSENGER VESSEL 
COMPLAINTS.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Assistant General Counsel, shall— 
‘‘(A) establish a consumer complaints toll- 
free hotline telephone number for applicable 
passengers; 
‘‘(B) establish a consumer complaints link 
for use by applicable passengers on the internet 
website maintained under section 16106(i); and 
‘‘(C) notify the public of— 
‘‘(i) the telephone number established 
under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) the internet website maintained 
under section 16106(i). 
‘‘(2) WEBSITE.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Assistant General Counsel, shall— 
‘‘(A) maintain a statistical compilation of 
all consumer complaints on the internet website 
under section 16106(i) that provides a numer-
ical accounting of each category of consumer 
complaint; 
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‘‘(B) update the data referred to in sub-
paragraph (A) not less frequently than monthly; 
‘‘(C) aggregate such data by covered pas-
senger vessel; and 
‘‘(D) identify each covered passenger vessel 
by name. 
‘‘(3) INVESTIGATIONS
OF
CONSUMER
COM-
PLAINTS.—The Secretary, acting through the Assist-
ant General Counsel and in coordination with other 
relevant Federal agencies, may investigate consumer 
complaints from applicable passengers, including— 
‘‘(A) cancellations, delays, and port skip-
ping; 
‘‘(B) lost, damaged, and delayed baggage; 
‘‘(C) conditions on board the covered pas-
senger vessel; 
‘‘(D) problems in obtaining refunds for un-
used or lost tickets or fare adjustments; 
‘‘(E) incorrect or incomplete information 
about fares, discount fare conditions and avail-
ability, overcharges, and fare increases; 
‘‘(F) deceptive or misleading advertising; 
and 
‘‘(G) compliance with Federal regulations. 
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‘‘(4) REFERRAL TO FEDERAL OR STATE AGEN-
CY.—The Secretary may refer any complaint re-
ceived under this subsection to the Attorney General 
or a relevant Federal or State agency for action, as 
appropriate. 
‘‘(5) NOTICE TO PASSENGERS.— 
‘‘(A) INTERNET WEBSITES.—Each owner 
of a covered passenger vessel shall include, in a 
conspicuous location on each internet website 
that such owner maintains for applicable pas-
sengers to purchase or book passage on the cov-
ered passenger vessel— 
‘‘(i) the telephone number established 
under paragraph (1)(A); 
‘‘(ii) the consumer complaints link es-
tablished under paragraph (1)(B); and 
‘‘(iii) any other information necessary 
for an applicable passenger to submit a 
consumer complaint for resolution. 
‘‘(B) BOARDING
DOCUMENTATION.—The 
owner of a covered passenger vessel shall in-
clude the telephone number and internet ad-
dress of the link for consumer complaints estab-
lished under paragraph (1) on— 
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‘‘(i) any promotional literature or ad-
vertising, through any medium of commu-
nication in the United States offering pas-
sage or soliciting applicable passengers for 
ocean voyages on covered passenger ves-
sels, that the Secretary considers necessary 
to adequately notify such prospective pas-
senger of the telephone number and inter-
net address; and 
‘‘(ii) any electronic confirmation of 
the purchase of passage on a covered pas-
senger vessel. 
‘‘(c) PENALTIES.— 
‘‘(1) CIVIL
PENALTY.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Assistant General Counsel, may impose 
on any person that violates this section or a regula-
tion under this section a civil penalty of not more 
than $25,000 for each day during which the viola-
tion continues. The Secretary, acting through the 
Assistant General Counsel, may bring an action to 
pursue a penalty under this paragraph in an appro-
priate district court of the United States. 
‘‘(2) CRIMINAL
PENALTY.—Any person that 
willfully violates this section or a regulation under 
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this section shall be fined not more than $250,000 
or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. 
‘‘(d) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Assistant General Counsel, shall issue such regulations 
as are necessary to implement this section. 
‘‘§ 16105. Invalidation of pre-dispute arbitration and 
class action waiver clauses in certain 
contracts relating to covered passenger 
vessel transportation 
‘‘(a) COVERED CONTRACT.—In this section, the term 
‘covered contract’ means a contract for the purchase of 
a ticket for transportation on a covered passenger vessel. 
‘‘(b) ARBITRATION.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, arbitration may be used to settle a con-
troversy arising from or relating to a provision of a cov-
ered contract only if, after the controversy arises, all par-
ties to the controversy consent, in writing, to use arbitra-
tion to settle the controversy. 
‘‘(c) CLASS ACTIONS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no predispute joint-action waiver shall 
be valid or enforceable with respect to any alleged claim 
regarding a covered contract. 
‘‘(d) COURT DETERMINATIONS.—An issue as to 
whether this section applies with respect to a dispute shall 
be determined under Federal law. The applicability of this 
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section to an agreement to arbitrate and the validity and 
enforceability of a covered contract shall be determined by 
a court, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of whether 
the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration 
agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms 
of the covered contract containing such agreement, and 
irrespective of whether the agreement purports to delegate 
such determinations to an arbitrator. 
‘‘(e) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall apply with 
respect to contracts entered into, or renewed, on or after 
the date of the enactment of the Cruise Passenger Protec-
tion Act of 2025.’’. 
SEC. 102. CRUISE LINE PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS; ADVI-
SORY 
COMMITTEE 
FOR 
COVERED 
PAS-
SENGER VESSEL CONSUMER PROTECTION. 
(a) BILL OF RIGHTS.— 
(1) ENFORCEABILITY.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation, acting through the As-
sistant General Counsel for the Office of Maritime 
Consumer Protection, shall determine whether any 
of the enumerated rights in the international cruise 
line passenger bill of rights, which was adopted in 
2013 by the members of the Cruise Lines Inter-
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national Association, are enforceable under Federal 
law. 
(2) REQUIRED STATEMENT.—The Secretary of 
Transportation, acting through the Assistant Gen-
eral Counsel for the Office of Maritime Consumer 
Protection, shall include in the standards developed 
under section 16104(a) of title 46, United States 
Code, a statement informing a prospective pas-
senger— 
(A) which rights referred to in paragraph 
(1) are legally enforceable; and 
(B) how a passenger or prospective pas-
senger might pursue such enforcement, includ-
ing identifying any action, including a private 
cause of action, an administrative action, or any 
other method of enforcement, that may be 
taken or pursued. 
(b) ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
FOR
COVERED
PAS-
SENGER VESSEL CONSUMER PROTECTION.— 
(1) DEFINITION OF COVERED PASSENGER VES-
SEL.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘covered pas-
senger vessel’’ means a passenger vessel or small 
passenger vessel to which chapter 161 of title 46, 
United States Code, applies. 
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(2) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Transportation, acting through the Assist-
ant General Counsel for the Office of Maritime Con-
sumer Protection, shall establish an advisory com-
mittee for covered passenger vessel consumer protec-
tion (referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘advisory 
committee’’) to advise the Secretary in carrying out 
activities relating to passenger vessel customer serv-
ice improvements. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—By not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall appoint 
the members of the advisory committee, which 
shall be comprised of 1 representative each of— 
(i) owners of passenger vessels, as de-
fined in section 2101 of title 46, United 
States Code; 
(ii) owners of small passenger vessels, 
as defined in such section; 
(iii) international industry-related as-
sociations; 
(iv) State or local governments with 
expertise in consumer protection matters; 
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(v) nonprofit public interest groups 
with expertise in consumer protection mat-
ters; 
(vi) nonprofit public interest groups 
with expertise in victim assistance; and 
(vii) relevant Federal agencies, as de-
termined by the Secretary of Transpor-
tation. 
(B) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the advi-
sory committee shall be filled in the manner in 
which the original appointment was made. 
(C) CHAIR.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall designate, from among the individ-
uals appointed under subparagraph (A), an in-
dividual to serve as chair of the advisory com-
mittee. 
(4) MEETINGS.—The advisory committee shall 
meet at the call of the chair of the advisory com-
mittee, but not less frequently than annually. 
(5) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the advi-
sory committee shall serve without pay, but shall re-
ceive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. 
(6) DUTIES.—The advisory committee shall— 
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(A) evaluate existing consumer protection 
programs or services for covered passenger ves-
sels; 
(B) recommend to the Secretary of Trans-
portation— 
(i) improvements needed to the pro-
grams or services under subparagraph (A), 
as necessary; and 
(ii) any additional consumer protec-
tion programs or services for covered pas-
senger vessels, as necessary; 
(C) not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the committee is established under para-
graph (2), recommend to the Secretary of 
Transportation which key terms in a passage 
contract for a covered passenger vessel should 
be highlighted before such terms are binding, 
such as— 
(i) products and services available on 
board the covered passenger vessel for an 
undisclosed cost or fee or that otherwise 
are not included in the price of passage; 
(ii) the country under which the cov-
ered passenger vessel is registered or 
flagged; 
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(iii) a statement that, under certain 
circumstances, a passenger on a covered 
passenger vessel may be subject to the law 
of a foreign country; 
(iv) the covered passenger vessel may 
not accept responsibility for any health 
care services provided to a passenger by 
medical staff on board the covered pas-
senger vessel; 
(v) the maximum amount an owner of 
a covered passenger vessel will reimburse a 
passenger for lost or stolen property while 
on board the passenger vessel; and 
(vi) where to file a notice of claim or 
initiate any legal action against the owner 
of the covered passenger vessel; and 
(D) annually for the 5-year period begin-
ning on the date on which the advisory com-
mittee is established, and periodically thereafter 
as the advisory committee determines nec-
essary, review the recommendations described 
in subparagraphs (B) and (C) and submit any 
recommended updates to the Secretary of 
Transportation. 
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(7) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 
days after the Secretary of Transportation receives 
recommendations, including updated recommenda-
tions, under paragraph (6) from the advisory com-
mittee, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a re-
port that contains— 
(A) such recommendations of the advisory 
committee; 
(B) an explanation of whether and how the 
industry has implemented each recommenda-
tion; and 
(C) for each recommendation not imple-
mented, the industry’s reason for not imple-
menting the recommendation. 
(8) TERMINATION.—The advisory committee 
shall terminate on the date that is 15 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 103. ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES ON BOARD 
CERTAIN PASSENGER VESSELS. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO VIC-
TIMS
OF CRIMES
ON BOARD PASSENGER VESSELS.— 
Chapter 161, as added by section 101 of this Act, is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘§ 16106. Assistance to victims of crimes on board 
certain passenger vessels 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to 
provide to an applicable passenger who is an alleged victim 
of an incident described in section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i)— 
‘‘(1) a written summary of rights described in 
subsection (e); 
‘‘(2) a primary point of contact within the Fed-
eral Government; and 
‘‘(3) a means of obtaining immediate, free, and 
confidential support services. 
‘‘(b) DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be a direc-
tor of victim support services of the Office. 
‘‘(2) DESIGNATION; PUBLIC OUTREACH.— 
‘‘(A) INTERIM DIRECTOR.—Not later than 
30 days after the date of enactment of the 
Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025, the 
Secretary shall designate an employee of the 
Department of Transportation as the interim 
director of victim support services, who shall 
serve in such position until a final designation 
or appointment is made under subparagraph 
(B). 
‘‘(B) FINAL
DESIGNATION
AND
PUBLIC 
OUTREACH.—Not later than 180 days after the 
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date of enactment of the Cruise Passenger Pro-
tection Act of 2025, the Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Department of Justice and other 
relevant Federal agencies, shall— 
‘‘(i) appoint an individual to serve as 
the director of victim support; and 
‘‘(ii) determine an effective way to 
publicize the toll-free telephone number 
under subsection (c) and the availability of 
support services under this section. 
‘‘(3) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The director of vic-
tim support services shall— 
‘‘(A) be responsible for acting as a primary 
point of contact within the Federal Government 
for any applicable passenger described in sub-
section (a); 
‘‘(B) coordinate with one or more non-
profit organizations or other entities that can 
provide the types of support services described 
in subsection (d); 
‘‘(C) establish a process for an applicable 
passenger described in subsection (a) to obtain 
the appropriate types of support services de-
scribed in subsection (d); 
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‘‘(D) recommend a process for an applica-
ble passenger described in subsection (a) to ob-
tain an appropriate continuum of care; 
‘‘(E) recommend a process for an applica-
ble passenger described in subsection (a) to ob-
tain information on the status of any related 
criminal investigation; 
‘‘(F) develop guidance, consistent with the 
purpose of this section, for the security guide 
under section 3523(c)(1), including a process to 
ensure that an owner of a passenger vessel pro-
vides a copy of the security guide to an applica-
ble passenger immediately after the vessel is no-
tified that the passenger is an alleged victim of 
an 
incident 
described 
in 
section 
3523(g)(3)(A)(i); 
‘‘(G) periodically update that guidance, as 
necessary; and 
‘‘(H) be the primary liaison between an ap-
plicable passenger described in subsection (a) 
and— 
‘‘(i) the owner of the passenger vessel; 
‘‘(ii) any relevant Federal agency; 
‘‘(iii) any relevant United States em-
bassy or United States consulate; and 
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‘‘(iv) any other person that the direc-
tor of victim support services considers 
necessary to carry out the purpose of this 
section. 
‘‘(c) TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER.—The Sec-
retary shall establish a toll-free telephone number, avail-
able 24 hours each day, that an applicable passenger de-
scribed in subsection (a) can call to initiate the process 
under subsection (b)(3)(C). 
‘‘(d) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The director of victim 
support services shall determine the types of support serv-
ices that an applicable passenger described in subsection 
(a) can obtain, such as— 
‘‘(1) directions on how to report an incident de-
scribed in section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i) to appropriate 
authorities; 
‘‘(2) an explanation of, or assistance com-
pleting, necessary forms to report an incident de-
scribed in section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i); 
‘‘(3) an explanation of how, or assistance to, 
obtain support services under this section; 
‘‘(4) arranging, if appropriate, for mental 
health and counseling services; 
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‘‘(5) arranging, if possible, for education re-
garding and advocacy during applicable criminal jus-
tice proceedings; and 
‘‘(6) communicating with that applicable pas-
senger as to the roles of the organization or entities 
described in subsection (b)(3)(B), government agen-
cies, and the owner of the passenger vessel involved 
with respect to the incident and the post-incident ac-
tivities. 
‘‘(e) SUMMARY OF RIGHTS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of the Cruise Passenger Pro-
tection Act of 2025, the Secretary, acting through the As-
sistant General Counsel and in consultation with the De-
partment of Justice, other relevant Federal agencies, non-
profit public interest groups with expertise in victim as-
sistance, and such other persons that the Secretary con-
siders necessary, shall— 
‘‘(1) determine what rights an applicable pas-
senger described in subsection (a) may have under 
law, such as the right to contact the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation to report the crime, the right to con-
tact the director of victim support services, and the 
right to speak confidentially to Federal law enforce-
ment, the director of victim support services, and 
any other third-party victim advocate without any 
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representative or employee of the passenger vessel 
present; 
‘‘(2) develop a written summary of those rights; 
and 
‘‘(3) establish a process for an applicable pas-
senger described in subsection (a) to receive the 
written summary of rights as soon as practicable 
after an alleged incident described under section 
3523(g)(3)(A)(i). 
‘‘(f) GUARDIANS AND RELATIVES.—If an applicable 
passenger described in subsection (a) is deceased or is a 
minor, or under such other circumstances that the director 
of victim support services considers necessary, the director 
may provide support services under this section to a 
guardian or relative of that applicable passenger. 
‘‘(g) USE OF PASSENGER VESSEL RESOURCES.—As 
appropriate, the resources of the passenger vessel shall be 
used to the greatest extent possible to carry out the pur-
pose of this section. 
‘‘(h) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
section may be construed as limiting the obligations that 
an owner of a passenger vessel may have in providing as-
sistance to an applicable passenger who is an alleged vic-
tim 
of 
an 
incident 
described 
under 
section 
3523(g)(3)(A)(i). 
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‘‘(i) AVAILABILITY OF INCIDENT DATA VIA INTER-
NET.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Assistant General Counsel, shall main-
tain a statistical compilation of all incidents de-
scribed in section 3523(g)(3)(A) on an internet 
website that provides a numerical accounting of the 
missing persons and alleged crimes duly recorded in 
each report filed under section 3523(g)(3). Each in-
cident described in section 3523(g)(3)(A) shall be in-
cluded in the statistical compilation irrespective of 
its investigative status. 
‘‘(2) UPDATES.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the data described in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) is updated not less frequently than 
monthly; 
‘‘(B) is aggregated by cruise line; 
‘‘(C) identifies each cruise line by name; 
‘‘(D) identifies each crime and alleged 
crime as to whether it was committed or alleg-
edly committed by a passenger or a crew mem-
ber; 
‘‘(E) identifies each crime and alleged 
crime as to whether it was committed or alleg-
edly committed against a minor; 
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‘‘(F) identifies the number of alleged indi-
viduals overboard; and 
‘‘(G) is compiled on the internet website in 
a user-friendly format. 
‘‘(3) ACCESS TO WEBSITE.—Each owner of a 
passenger vessel shall include a prominently acces-
sible link to the internet website maintained by the 
Office of Maritime Consumer Protection under para-
graph (1) on each internet website that the owner 
maintains for prospective applicable passengers to 
purchase or book passage on the passenger vessel. 
‘‘(j) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall issue such 
regulations as are necessary to implement this section.’’. 
(b) STUDY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, 
acting through the Assistant General Counsel for the Of-
fice of Maritime Consumer Protection and in coordination 
with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating, the Attorney General, and heads of 
other relevant Federal agencies, shall— 
(1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility 
of having an individual on board each passenger ves-
sel, or certain categories of passenger vessels, to 
which chapter 161 applies to provide victim support 
services, including the support services under section 
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16106(d) of title 46, United States Code, and re-
lated safety and security services, which includes 
consideration of the cost, the benefit to passengers, 
jurisdiction, and logistics; and 
(2) report the findings of the study conducted 
under paragraph (1) to Congress. 
SEC. 104. CLERICAL AMENDMENTS. 
(a) TITLE 46 TABLE OF CHAPTERS.—The table of 
chapters for subtitle II is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘PART L—OFFICE OF MARITIME CONSUMER PROTECTION 
‘‘161. Office of Maritime Consumer Protection ....................................... 16101’’. 
(b) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 161, as added by section 101 of 
this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘16106. Assistance to victims of crimes on board certain passenger vessels.’’. 
TITLE II—CRUISE VESSEL 
PASSENGER IMPROVEMENTS 
SEC. 201. CRUISE VESSEL CHAPTER ORGANIZATION, APPLI-
CATION, AND DEFINITIONS. 
(a) SUBCHAPTER ORGANIZATION.—Chapter 35 is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting before section 3501 the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘Subchapter I—General Provisions’’; 
(2) by inserting before section 3507 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Subchapter II—Cruise Vessels’’; 
and 
(3) by redesignating sections 3507, 3508, 3509, 
and 3510 as sections 3523, 3524, 3525, and 3526, 
respectively. 
(b) APPLICATION.—Chapter 35, as amended by sub-
section (a), is further amended by inserting before section 
3523 the following: 
‘‘§ 3521. Application 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—This subchapter applies to a 
passenger vessel that— 
‘‘(1) is authorized to carry 250 or more pas-
sengers; 
‘‘(2) has overnight accommodations for 250 or 
more passengers; and 
‘‘(3) is on a voyage that embarks or disembarks 
passengers in the United States. 
‘‘(b) FEDERAL
AND
STATE
VESSELS.—Notwith-
standing subsection (a), this subchapter does not apply 
to— 
‘‘(1) a vessel of the United States operated by 
the Federal Government; or 
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‘‘(2) a vessel owned and operated by a State.’’. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—Chapter 35, as amended by sub-
sections (a) and (b), is further amended by inserting after 
section 3521, as added by subsection (b), the following: 
‘‘§ 3522. Definitions 
‘‘In this subchapter: 
‘‘(1) EXTERIOR
DECK.—The term ‘exterior 
deck’ means any exterior weather deck on which a 
passenger may be present, including passenger state-
room balconies, exterior promenades on passenger 
decks, muster stations, and similar exterior weather 
deck areas. 
‘‘(2) OWNER.—The term ‘owner’ means the 
owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or 
other individual in charge of a vessel. 
‘‘(3) APPLICABLE PASSENGER.—The term ‘ap-
plicable passenger’ means a passenger carried on a 
passenger vessel who is a citizen of the United 
States. 
‘‘(4) PHYSICIAN.—The term ‘physician’ means 
a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medi-
cine who— 
‘‘(A) has at least 3 years of post-graduate, 
post-registration experience in general and 
emergency medicine; or 
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‘‘(B) is certified by the American Board of 
Medical Specialties, or any other certifying body 
designated by the Secretary, in emergency med-
icine, family medicine, or internal medicine. 
‘‘(5) QUALIFIED
MEDICAL
STAFF
MEMBER.— 
The term ‘qualified medical staff member’ means a 
medical professional certified in advanced cardio-
vascular life support and advanced trauma life sup-
port training.’’. 
SEC. 202. CRIME REPORTING AND PUBLIC NOTICE. 
(a) AVAILABILITY OF LOG BOOK AND ENTRIES TO 
FBI AND OTHER INVESTIGATORS.—Section 3523(g)(1), 
as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘in a cen-
tralized location readily accessible to law enforce-
ment personnel,’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘make 
such log book available’’ and inserting ‘‘make avail-
able the log book described in subparagraph (A), the 
Captain’s log, the security log, the engine room log, 
all other logs, and all entries of the log books or logs 
described in this subparagraph, without regard as to 
whether the log book, logs, or entries are maintained 
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on board the vessel or at a centralized location off 
the vessel,’’. 
(b) DEADLINE TO NOTIFY FEDERAL BUREAU OF IN-
VESTIGATION REGARDING CERTAIN INCIDENTS.—Section 
3523(g)(3), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘shall contact’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘subject to subparagraph (C), shall con-
tact’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘after the occurrence on 
board the vessel of an incident involving’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, but not later than 4 hours, after an 
employee of the vessel is notified of an incident 
on board the vessel allegedly involving’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ‘‘admi-
ralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States 
and outside the jurisdiction of any State’’ and in-
serting ‘‘special maritime and territorial jurisdiction 
of the United States, as defined in section 7 of title 
18,’’. 
(c) 
CRIME
REPORTING
GUIDELINES.—Section 
3523(g)(1)(A), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act and amended by subsection (a), is further amend-
ed— 
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(1) in clause (i), by striking the comma at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘, and’’ and in-
serting a semicolon; 
(3) in clause (iii), by striking the comma at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: 
‘‘(iv) any other criminal offenses re-
ported to the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion through the Uniform Crime Reporting 
Program,’’. 
(d) 
REPORTS
BEFORE
DEPARTURE.—Section 
3523(g)(3), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) REPORTS
BEFORE
DEPARTURE.—If 
an employee of a vessel to which this sub-
chapter applies is notified of an incident under 
subparagraph (A)(i) while the vessel is within 
the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction 
of the United States, as defined in section 7 of 
title 18, and en route to a United States port 
or at a United States port, the owner of the 
vessel (or the owner’s designee) shall contact 
the nearest Federal Bureau of Investigation 
Field Office or Legal Attache´ not later than the 
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time specified under subparagraph (A)(i) or be-
fore the vessel departs port, whichever is ear-
lier.’’. 
(e) REPORTS TO UNITED STATES CONSULATES.— 
Section 3523(g)(3), as amended by subsection (d), is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) REPORTS TO UNITED STATES CON-
SULATES.—If an incident described in subpara-
graph (A)(i) allegedly involves an offense by or 
against a United States national, in addition to 
contacting the nearest Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigation Field Office or Legal Attache´ under 
that subparagraph, the owner of a vessel to 
which this subchapter applies (or the owner’s 
designee) shall contact the United States con-
sulate at the next port of call as soon as pos-
sible, but not later than 4 hours after arrival at 
the port.’’. 
(f) REPORTS TO SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION; 
INCIDENTS
AND DETAILS.—Section 3523(g)(3)(A), as 
amended by subsection (b), is further amended— 
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘to the internet 
website maintained by the Secretary of Transpor-
tation under paragraph (4)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘, in-
cluding the details under paragraph (2), to the inter-
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net website maintained by the Secretary of Trans-
portation under section 16106(i)’’; and 
(2) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘under paragraph 
(4)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘under section 16106(i)’’. 
(g) AVAILABILITY OF SECURITY GUIDE VIA INTER-
NET.—Section 3523(c)(1), as redesignated under section 
201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘a guide (referred to in 
this subsection as the ‘security guide’)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘a security guide’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘English, which’’ and in-
serting ‘‘English, that’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘on the 
website of the vessel owner’’ and inserting ‘‘through 
a prominently accessible link on each internet 
website that the vessel owner maintains for applica-
ble passengers to purchase or book passage on a 
passenger vessel’’. 
(h) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Section 3523, as 
redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is fur-
ther amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (k) and (l); 
(2) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as 
subsections (j) and (k), respectively; and 
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(3) by inserting after subsection (h) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) PROVISION TO STATE FUSION CENTERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Any records (includ-
ing electronic records), information, or written 
documentation provided to any source under 
subsection (g) shall also be provided to the 
State fusion center (as described in section 
210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 124h)) for the State in which the appli-
cable port described in subparagraph (B) is lo-
cated. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABLE PORT.—For purposes of 
this paragraph, the applicable port shall be the 
port from which a vessel originally embarks or 
the port at which the vessel disembarks, which-
ever port is nearest when the alleged incident 
occurs. 
‘‘(2) EFFECT ON OTHER REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Requirements under this subsection sup-
plement and do not amend, or serve as a substitute 
for, the reporting requirements of section 10104 of 
this title or any other provision of law.’’. 
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SEC. 203. CRIME PREVENTION, DOCUMENTATION, AND RE-
SPONSE REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) MAINTENANCE AND PLACEMENT OF VIDEO SUR-
VEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.—Section 3523(b)(1)(B), as re-
designated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subclause (II) of clause (ii), by striking 
‘‘to the maximum extent practicable’’; 
(2) by redesignating subclause (IV) of clause 
(ii) as clause (iii), and adjusting the margins appro-
priately; 
(3) by inserting after subclause (III) of clause 
(ii) the following: 
‘‘(IV) incorporate the feedback 
and suggestions from the results of 
the independent third party risk as-
sessment to provide optimum surveil-
lance that complies with the guidance 
from the Commandant.’’; and 
(4) in clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph 
(2), by striking ‘‘the independent third party re-
ferred to in paragraph (C)’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY.—The inde-
pendent third party referred to in clause (ii)(III)’’. 
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(b) 
ACCESS
TO
VIDEO
RECORDS.—Section 
3523(b)(3)(B), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by strik-
ing ‘‘Except as proscribed by law enforcement au-
thorities or court order, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
and 
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘of any sexual as-
sault incident’’. 
(c) NOTICE
OF
VIDEO
SURVEILLANCE.—Section 
3523(b)(2), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is further amended by striking ‘‘this section ap-
plies’’ and inserting ‘‘this subchapter applies’’. 
(d) 
RETENTION
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
3523(b)(4), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjust-
ing the margins appropriately; 
(2) by striking ‘‘The owner of a vessel to which 
this section applies’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The owner of a vessel 
to which this subchapter applies’’; 
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(3) by striking ‘‘20 days after the footage is ob-
tained’’ and inserting ‘‘1 year after completion of 
the voyage’’; 
(4) in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), as redes-
ignated by this subsection, by striking ‘‘4 years’’ and 
inserting ‘‘5 years’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) INTERIM
STANDARDS.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025, 
the Commandant, in consultation with the Fed-
eral Bureau of Investigation, shall promulgate 
interim standards for the retention of records of 
video surveillance. 
‘‘(C) FINAL STANDARDS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of the Cruise 
Passenger Protection Act of 2025, the Com-
mandant, in consultation with the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation, shall promulgate final 
standards for the retention of records of video 
surveillance. 
‘‘(D) CONSIDERATIONS.—In promulgating 
standards under subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
the Commandant shall— 
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