Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

Bill: 117-hr-2695
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]
Introduced: 2021-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Disability and paralysis
Education programs funding
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Racial and ethnic relations
Research administration and funding
Science and engineering education
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Women's education
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-20
text: 

Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

 
This bill addresses sexual harassment and gender harassment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by supporting research regarding such harassment and efforts to prevent and respond to such harassment.
 
This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or their consortia) to
 
 
expand research into sexual harassment and gender harassment in the STEM workforce, including students and trainees; and 
 
examine interventions for reducing the incidence and negative consequences of such harassment. 
 
 
The NSF must convene a working group composed of representatives of federal statistical agencies to develop questions on sexual harassment and gender harassment in STEM departments in order to gather national data on the prevalence, nature, and implications of such harassment in institutions of higher education. 
 
The NSF shall enter into agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to (1) update a responsible conduct guide issued by the National Academies to include, among other things, updated professional standards of conduct in research and evidence-based practices for fostering a climate that is intolerant of sexual harassment and gender harassment; and (2) study the influence of such harassment in institutions of higher education on the career advancement of individuals in the STEM workforce.
 
The National Science and Technology Council shall establish an interagency working group to coordinate the federal science agencies' efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender harassment involving grant personnel. 
 
The Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a uniform set of policy guidelines for such agencies to prevent and respond to reports of sexual harassment and gender harassment. 

action_date: 2021-05-18
text: 

Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

 
This bill addresses sexual harassment and gender harassment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by supporting research regarding such harassment and efforts to prevent and respond to such harassment.
 
(Sec. 4) This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or their consortia) to
 
 
expand research into sexual harassment and gender harassment in the STEM workforce, including students and trainees; and 
 
examine interventions for reducing the incidence and negative consequences of such harassment. 
 
 
(Sec. 5) The NSF must convene a working group composed of representatives of federal statistical agencies to develop questions on sexual harassment and gender harassment in STEM departments in order to gather national data on the prevalence, nature, and implications of such harassment in institutions of higher education. 
 
(Sec. 6) The NSF shall enter into agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to (1) update a responsible conduct guide issued by the National Academies to include, among other things, updated professional standards of conduct in research and evidence-based practices for fostering a climate that is intolerant of sexual harassment and gender harassment; and (2) study the influence of such harassment in institutions of higher education on the career advancement of individuals in the STEM workforce.
 
(Sec. 7) The National Science and Technology Council shall establish an interagency working group to coordinate the federal science agencies' efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender harassment involving grant personnel. 
 
The Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a uniform set of policy guidelines for such agencies to prevent and respond to reports of sexual harassment and gender harassment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-19
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-05-18
text: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2515-2517)
action_date: 2021-05-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2515-2517)
action_date: 2021-05-18
text: Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 2695 are considered vacated.
action_date: 2021-05-17
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: 2021-05-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2695.
action_date: 2021-05-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2401-2403; text: CR H2401-2402)
action_date: 2021-05-17
text: Ms. Bonamici moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2021-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2021-04-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E426-427)
action_date: 2021-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-04-20
text: Introduced in House