Humanitarian Assistance Code of Conduct Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-912
Sponsor: Rep. Delahunt, William D. [D-MA-10]
Introduced: 2005-02-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Charities
Child sexual abuse
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Disaster relief
Disciplining of employees
Dismissal of employees
Economic assistance
Emergency Management
Employee crimes
Ethics
Families
Food relief
Immigration
International relief
Labor and Employment
Nongovernmental organizations
Prostitution
Refugees
Sex crimes
Sexual harassment
Social Welfare
Whistle blowing
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2005-02-17
text: 
Humanitarian Assistance Code of Conduct Act of 2005 - Prohibits the obligation of specified funds for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs to an organization that fails to adopt a code of conduct (consistent with six specified core principles of the United Nations (UN) Inter-Agency Standing Committee Task Force on Protection From Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Humanitarian Crises) that provides for the protection of beneficiaries of assistance from sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian relief operations. 

action_date: 2005-03-02
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Humanitarian Assistance Code of Conduct Act of 2005 - Prohibits the obligation of specified funds for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs to an organization that fails to adopt a code of conduct that provides for the protection of beneficiaries of assistance from sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian relief operations.
 
Requires the code of conduct, to the maximum extent practicable, to be consistent with the following six core principles of the United Nations (UN) Inter-Agency Standing Committee Task Force on Protection From Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Humanitarian Crises: (1) sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore grounds for termination of employment; (2) sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the local age of majority or consent; (3) exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating or exploitative behavior, is prohibited; (4) sexual relationships between humanitarian workers and beneficiaries are strongly discouraged; (5) where a humanitarian worker develops concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow worker he or she must report such concerns via established agency reporting mechanisms; and (6) humanitarian agencies are obliged to maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of their code of conduct. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-03
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 43). (text: CR H854)
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 43).(text: CR H854)
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H867-868)
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 912.
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H854-859)
action_date: 2005-03-02
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2005-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2005-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-02-17
text: Introduced in House