Cruise Passenger Protection Act

Bill: 114-hr-3142
Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6]
Introduced: 2015-07-21 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Assault and harassment offenses
Business records
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Coast guard
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Marine and inland water transportation
Right of privacy
Sex offenses
Sexually transmitted diseases
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-21
text: 

Cruise Passenger Protection Act

 
 Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether any of the enumerated rights in the international cruise line passenger bill of rights (adopted by the members of the Cruise Lines International Association) is enforceable under federal law.
 
Applies this Act to passenger vessels that: (1) carry at least 250 passengers, (2) have sleeping facilities for each passenger, (3) are on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States, (4) are not engaged in coastwise trade, and (5) are not federal- or state-owned.
 
Revises passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) log book entries and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes; and (2) placement, access to records, and notice of video surveillance equipment to monitor crime.
 
Directs DOT to maintain on a website a statistical compilation of reported incidents of missing persons, crimes, and other information for vessel passengers.
 
Directs DOT, in coordination with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Department of Justice, and heads of other relevant federal agencies, to study the feasibility of having an individual on board each passenger vessel to provide victim support and related safety and security services.
 
Requires the Maritime Administration (who, currently, is merely authorized) to certify organizations in the United States and abroad that offer the curriculum for training and certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crewmembers, and law enforcement officials on the appropriate methods for prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of crimes in international waters.
 
Revises vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting requirements. 
 
Requires vessel owners to ensure that a vessel is staffed at all times with appropriate medical staff to treat passengers on board.
 
Requires the peep hole or other means of visual identification in the entry door of a passenger stateroom or crew cabin to provide an unobstructed view of the area outside the stateroom or crew cabin.
 
Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to withhold or revoke the clearance of, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to deny entry into the United States to, any vessel owner that: (1) commits an act or omission for which a penalty is imposed under this Act, or (2) fails to pay the penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2015-07-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-07-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-21
text: Introduced in House