National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 2406
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2406Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionDepartment of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025
INTRO MAR 27· LAST ACTION AUG 20
READING
11MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to ensure a safe and respectful work environment within a vital federal agency responsible for crucial scientific research and public services related to our oceans and atmosphere. If passed, it would improve accountability and transparency regarding sexual harassment and assault within NOAA, which has faced scrutiny over such issues, particularly in its maritime operations.
Without this bill, the current policies and reporting requirements might not be robust enough to adequately protect employees or hold offenders accountable. By enhancing data collection, clarifying reporting procedures, and strengthening victim confidentiality protocols, the bill seeks to address real-world concerns about workplace safety and justice. This could lead to a more trusting and effective workforce within NOAA, which in turn impacts the quality of the agency's important work.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Expands NOAA's policy to include 'equal employment' alongside sexual harassment and requires detailed case data and disciplinary actions to be collected.
This ensures a broader scope of workplace misconduct is covered and provides a clearer picture of how incidents are handled.
PROVISION 02
Mandates a more comprehensive annual report on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal employment cases, including specifics on fisheries observers and requests for work location changes.
This increases transparency and accountability by requiring more detailed public reporting on the prevalence and handling of incidents.
PROVISION 03
Establishes specific conditions under which a victim's identifying information can be disclosed, even with restricted reporting, always with attempts to notify the victim and protect their privacy.
This balances victim privacy with necessary disclosures for safety or legal reasons, providing clear guidelines for sensitive information.
PROVISION 04
Requires an update within three years to NOAA's restricted reporting system, ensuring victims can confidentially report and receive services without automatically triggering an investigation.
This aims to create a more supportive environment for victims to come forward without immediate fear of a full, potentially public, investigation.
PROVISION 05
Requires the 'responsible entity' of a vessel under NOAA contract to report sexual harassment or assault incidents to the Coast Guard.
This closes a potential loophole by mandating reporting for a specific, high-risk environment often associated with NOAA's work.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to ensure a safe and respectful work environment within a vital federal agency responsible for crucial scientific research and public services related to our oceans and atmosphere. If passed, it would improve accountability and transparency regarding sexual harassment and assault within NOAA, which has faced scrutiny over such issues, particularly in its maritime operations.
Without this bill, the current policies and reporting requirements might not be robust enough to adequately protect employees or hold offenders accountable. By enhancing data collection, clarifying reporting procedures, and strengthening victim confidentiality protocols, the bill seeks to address real-world concerns about workplace safety and justice. This could lead to a more trusting and effective workforce within NOAA, which in turn impacts the quality of the agency's important work.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Expands NOAA's policy to include 'equal employment' alongside sexual harassment and requires detailed case data and disciplinary actions to be collected.
This ensures a broader scope of workplace misconduct is covered and provides a clearer picture of how incidents are handled.
high
Mandates a more comprehensive annual report on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal employment cases, including specifics on fisheries observers and requests for work location changes.
This increases transparency and accountability by requiring more detailed public reporting on the prevalence and handling of incidents.
med
Establishes specific conditions under which a victim's identifying information can be disclosed, even with restricted reporting, always with attempts to notify the victim and protect their privacy.
This balances victim privacy with necessary disclosures for safety or legal reasons, providing clear guidelines for sensitive information.
high
Requires an update within three years to NOAA's restricted reporting system, ensuring victims can confidentially report and receive services without automatically triggering an investigation.
This aims to create a more supportive environment for victims to come forward without immediate fear of a full, potentially public, investigation.
med
Requires the 'responsible entity' of a vessel under NOAA contract to report sexual harassment or assault incidents to the Coast Guard.
This closes a potential loophole by mandating reporting for a specific, high-risk environment often associated with NOAA's work.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025
Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, must update policies for restricted reporting.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A U.S. federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere, providing weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, fisheries management, coastal restoration, and marine commerce.
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
An annual series of United States federal laws specifying the budget and expenditures for the U.S. Department of Defense. This bill refers to a specific section of the 2017 NDAA that addressed NOAA personnel.
Restricted Reporting
A system that allows victims of sexual harassment or assault to confidentially report incidents to specific individuals (like victim advocates or healthcare providers) and receive services without triggering an automatic official investigation, unless they choose to move to an unrestricted report.
Unrestricted Reporting
A system where a victim of sexual harassment or assault reports an incident, leading to an official investigation by authorities (e.g., law enforcement, military command) and allowing access to medical and advocacy services.
NO FEAR Act (Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002)
A federal law that makes federal agencies more accountable for discrimination and retaliation in the workplace by requiring them to post annual summaries of findings of discrimination and requiring training for employees.
ACTION TIMELINE
15 EVENTS
AUG 20
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-761.
COMMITTEE
AUG 20
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 662.
CALENDARS
JUL 15
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
The most senior officer of the United States Coast Guard, responsible for its overall command and operations.
Fisheries Observers
Individuals who collect data on fishing vessels to monitor compliance with fishing regulations and gather scientific information on fish stocks and marine ecosystems.
