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Strengthens how NOAA and the maritime community prevent, track, and report sexual harassment and sexual assault. It expands who is covered to include fisheries observers and monitors and requires more complete, case‑level reporting (including brief synopses, discipline, and No FEAR Act data). It also adds new annual report metrics, such as requests for transfers, cases sent to the Coast Guard, and details on incidents involving observers. Sets clear rules for referrals to law enforcement, protects victim identity with narrow exceptions, and directs the Secretary of Commerce to update restricted‑reporting policies within three years. It updates definitions, makes technical and conforming edits, and bars people convicted of certain sexual offenses from serving in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
States that, except where the Act explicitly provides otherwise, any amendment or repeal described in this Act should be understood as referring to a provision of subtitle C of title XXXV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (33 U.S.C. 894 et seq.).
Amend Section 3541(f) (33 U.S.C. 894(f)) by inserting text as specified.
Redesignate existing subparagraphs (C) and (D) in paragraph (2) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively.
Insert a new subparagraph (C) in paragraph (2) requiring collection and provision of "relevant data," including: (i) a synopsis of each sexual harassment case and any disciplinary action taken for that case; and (ii) data collected under the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (5 U.S.C. 2301).
Amend Section 3548 (33 U.S.C. 894e).
Modifies subsection (f) of 33 U.S.C. 894 by redesignating existing subparagraphs (C) and (D) as (D) and (E), and inserting a new subparagraph (C) in paragraph (2) requiring collection/inclusion of "relevant data"—specifically (i) a synopsis of each case and any disciplinary action taken, and (ii) data collected pursuant to the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (5 U.S.C. 2301).
Amends 33 U.S.C. 3071(a) by inserting a new paragraph (26) referencing Section 657 (prohibition on service by individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses) and redesignating the existing paragraph (26) as paragraph (27).
Amends section 307(1)(L) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by striking the text of that subparagraph.
Amends section 3547 (33 U.S.C. 894d–2) by replacing the phrase "pursuant to" with "at the onset or during the course of" and by inserting additional text after the existing provision (insertion text not specified in this section).
Redesignates the existing section currently codified as 33 U.S.C. 894e (section 3548) to a new section number (section 3551).
Redesignates the existing section currently codified as 33 U.S.C. 894f (section 3549) to a new section number (section 3552).
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced March 27, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress March 27, 2025
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Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House