National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2990
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Introduced: 2023-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Atmospheric science and weather
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Commerce
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Right of privacy
Sex offenses
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 202

3

 
This bill addresses sexual harassment and sexual assault involving personnel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
 
The bill specifies that NOAA's sexual harassment prevention and response policy applies to personnel such as observers, at-sea monitors, and voting members and staff of regional fishery management councils.
 
The bill removes the requirement that certain acts, such as assault, intimidation, and sexual harassment of an observer or a data collector, be forcible in nature to be unlawful.
 
The bill also requires NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to establish a policy for reporting to the Coast Guard the names of NOAA personnel who are the subject of certain claims. Specifically, such reports must identify employees or contractors who are the subject of a claim of an act or offense detrimental to good discipline and safety at sea (e.g., a claim of sexual assault substantiated by an investigation) or any other substantiated claim of an act or offense for which suspension or revocation of a credential is either mandatory or sought pursuant to certain Coast Guard regulations. 
 
Additionally, the bill directs NOAA to develop a restricted reporting system that allows employees and other personnel to confidentially report sexual harassment or assault and receive services without triggering an investigation.
 
Finally, the bill also expands reporting requirements on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-10-25
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held
action_date: 2023-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
action_date: 2023-05-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Introduced in House