119th Congress · introduced in the House · Mar 27, 2025
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Sep 15, 2026): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Mar 27, 2025)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025
This bill expands requirements for addressing 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 involved in a sexual harassment or sexual assault claim. Specifically, such reports must identify employees or contractors who are the subject of such claim, the time and date of the incident, and the location of the vessel when the incident occurred.
The bill prohibits a person convicted of certain sexual offenses from enlisting with or being commissioned by NOAA.
Additionally, the bill directs NOAA to update its policies 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.
Show less of the summaryIncludes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5571-5573)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2406.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5571-5574)
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 662.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-761.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-761.
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Assault and harassment offenses · Crime victims · Criminal justice information and records · Data collection, sharing, protection · Department of Commerce · Employee performance · Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management · Government ethics and transparency, public corruption · Marine and coastal resources, fisheries · Personnel records
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Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
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