Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-588
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Business records
Civil actions and liability
Coast guard
Consumer affairs
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Emergency communications systems
Evidence and witnesses
Fires
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Jurisdiction and venue
Law enforcement officers
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Sex offenses
Terrorism
Transportation safety and security
Travel and tourism
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 - Sets forth cruise vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design and construction; (2) crew access to passenger staterooms; (3) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, and alleged crimes; (4) a database of crewmembers terminated due to commission of a crime; (5) maintenance of rape kits on board; (6) crime scene investigation training and certification for vessel crewmembers; (7) video surveillance to monitor crime; and (8) posting of certain safety information.
 
Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
 
Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) to dispatch Coast Guard personnel on vessels to deter or respond to terrorism or transportation security incidents. Authorizes use of such personnel to act as: (1) environmental observers to monitor compliance with federal laws regarding the discharge of waste into U.S. waters; and (2) public safety officers to assist vessel passengers and crew with reporting and investigation of crimes, securing of suspects, and collection of crime evidence.
 
Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the security needs of a passenger vessel depending on the number of passengers on the vessel, with recommendations for security improvements.
 
Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to extend from 3 to 12 miles from the U.S. shore the high seas jurisdiction wherein a death by a wrongful act, neglect, or default of a person or vessel will allow the personal representative of the decedent to bring a civil action in admiralty.

action_date: 2009-09-08
text: 
Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 - Delineates passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting; (2) video surveillance to monitor crime; (3) posting of U.S. embassy locations; (4) maintenance of equipment and medical personnel for sexual assaults on board; (5) confidentiality of sexual assault information; (6) crew access to passenger staterooms; and (7) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes.
 
 
Prescribes penalties for violations of this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop minimum training standards for the certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on methods for the prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. 
 
Prohibits a vessel carrying U.S. citizens from entering a U.S. port unless there is at least one crew member on board who has met such training and certification requirements. Subjects persons who violate such requirements to certain penalties.
 
Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the security needs of a passenger vessel depending on the number of passengers on the vessel, with recommendations for security improvements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-09-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 156.
action_date: 2009-09-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-72.
action_date: 2009-09-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-72.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate