Combating Human Rights Abuses Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-9772
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Curtis, John R. [R-UT-3]
Introduced: 2024-09-24
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia

China

Department of Commerce

Employment and training programs

Human rights

U.S. and foreign investments
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9772 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 24, 2024 Mr. Curtis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To require the Secretary of Commerce to provide training and guidance relating to human rights abuses, including such abuses perpetrated against the Uyghur population by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Human Rights Abuses Act of 2024 . 2. Training for employees of the Department of Commerce relating to awareness of human rights abuses (a) In general The Secretary of Commerce shall provide training described in subsection (b) to such employees of the Department of Commerce who provide counseling services to businesses engaged in interstate commerce or foreign direct investment as the Secretary considers appropriate. (b) Contents of training The training required under subsection (a) shall be— (1) designed to raise awareness about emerging trends and issues with respect to human rights abuses perpetrated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, including the use of forced labor, against Uyghurs and other ethnic minority populations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; and (2) incorporated to the greatest extent possible into existing training provided by the Department of Commerce. (c) Timing The training required under subsection (a) shall be offered and updated at such times as the Secretary considers appropriate. 3. Guidance for United States businesses relating to awareness of human rights abuses (a) In general The Secretary of Commerce shall— (1) offer guidance for United States businesses engaged in interstate commerce or foreign direct investment, including such businesses that are, or are considering, conducting transactions with entities subject to the control or influence of jurisdictions where significant human rights abuses have occurred, such as the People’s Republic of China; and (2) incorporate the guidance required under paragraph (1) into any counseling services that the Department of Commerce provides to such businesses as the Secretary considers appropriate. (b) Contents of guidance The guidance required under subsection (a) shall— (1) provide information about emerging trends and issues involving human rights abuses perpetrated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, consisting of the use of forced labor against Uyghurs and other ethnic minority populations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, including information about— (A) risk factors that may be used to identify entities subject to the influence or control of jurisdictions such as the People’s Republic of China that may be implicated in human rights abuses; (B) ways to avoid doing business with entities described in subparagraph (A); and (C) potential reputational, economic, legal, and other risks of conducting transactions with an entity described in subparagraph (A); and (2) make clear that the guidance is for advisory purposes only.