National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act

Bill: 114-s-2206
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Appropriations
Arctic Ocean
Arctic and polar regions
Assault and harassment offenses
Atmospheric science and weather
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Department of Commerce
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Fires
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health personnel
Higher education
Hydrology and hydrography
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Marketing and advertising
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
National symbols
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Student aid and college costs
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-26
text: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act

 
This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop policies on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment or assaults involving its employees, NOAA's commissioned officer corps, and individuals who work with or conduct business on behalf of NOAA. Those policies must include procedures for reporting incidents, including those occurring after-hours, at sea, or in remote locations.
 
NOAA must: (1) ensure that at least one of its employees who handle matters relating to equal employment opportunity or sexual harassment is stationed in each of its regions of operation and in each of its marine and aviation centers, (2) establish victim advocates to aid victims of sexual assault, and (3) submit an annual report on sexual assaults.
 
The bill establishes protections for victims, including through a change of duty station of an alleged perpetrator.
 
The bill revises the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002. The bill sets forth new requirements under that Act concerning obligated service requirements, training and physical fitness, education loan assistance, recruitment, hiring and promotions, and other workforce issues.
 
NOAA must develop and implement a charter vessel safety policy applicable to the acquisition by NOAA of charter vessel services.
 
 The bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2020 the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.

action_date: 2016-11-28
text: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act

 
(Sec.101)This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop policies on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment or assaults involving its employees, NOAA's commissioned officer corps, and individuals who work with or conduct business on behalf of NOAA. Those policies must include procedures for reporting incidents, including those occurring after-hours, at sea, or in remote locations.
 
NOAA must: (1) ensure that at least one of its employees who handle matters relating to equal employment opportunity or sexual harassment is stationed in each of its regions of operation and in each of its marine and aviation centers, (2) establish victim advocates to aid victims of sexual assault, and (3) submit an annual report on sexual assaults.
 
The bill establishes protections for victims, including through a change of duty station of an alleged perpetrator.
 
(Sec.201)The bill revises the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002. The bill sets forth new requirements under that Act concerning obligated service requirements, training and physical fitness, education loan assistance, recruitment, hiring and promotions, and other workforce issues.
 
NOAA must develop and implement a charter vessel safety policy applicable to the acquisition by NOAA of charter vessel services.
 
 (Sec.301) The bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2020 the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-28
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 688.
action_date: 2016-11-28
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-384.
action_date: 2016-11-28
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-384.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2015-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate