National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 2406
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-03: Subcommittee Hearings Held
Last Updated: 2026-07-06T14:52:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025," aims to strengthen policies and procedures for preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and related equal employment issues within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It builds on existing laws by expanding protections, improving reporting mechanisms, and enhancing accountability for NOAA employees, officers, and related personnel.

Key Provisions

Policy Updates on Prevention and Response: Amends NOAA's policy to explicitly include "equal employment" alongside sexual harassment. Requires inclusion of relevant data in reports, such as case synopses (brief summaries), disciplinary actions, and information from the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (a law that tracks workplace discrimination complaints).

Annual Reporting Requirements: Expands the annual report to cover sexual harassment, sexual assault cases, and equal employment issues. Key additions include:
Summaries of case synopses and disciplinary actions.
Data on requests for transfers or changes in work location (and denials).
Number of cases reported to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Details on incidents involving fisheries observers, protected species observers, and endangered species observers, including case status, investigation outcomes, and incident locations.

Investigation and Criminal Referral:
Requires referrals to the U.S. Attorney (and Coast Guard Commandant for licensed mariners) at the start or during investigations of potential crimes.
Allows limited disclosure of victims' personal information in specific cases (e.g., to prevent imminent threats, for victim services, or under court order), with requirements for notice and privacy protections.
Mandates updates to restricted reporting systems within three years to ensure confidentiality without automatic investigations, except as needed for services.

Mariner and Vessel Reporting:
Requires vessel operators (responsible entities) to report unrestricted incidents of sexual harassment or assault involving NOAA employees/contractors or crew on NOAA-contracted vessels to the Coast Guard immediately via the fastest available communication.
Reports must include details like names, credentials, incident time/location, and a brief description (restricted reports are exempt).
NOAA must notify its Office of Marine and Aviation Operations of these reports, sharing non-identifying details for restricted cases.

Definitions and Prohibitions:
Defines "covered personnel" to include observers on fishing vessels/platforms and staff of Regional Fishery Management Councils.
Updates "responsible entity of a vessel" to mean NOAA's Director of Marine and Aviation Operations for NOAA-owned/operated vessels.
Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to broaden prohibitions on sexual assault (removing requirements for force or vessel location).
Bars individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses from serving in NOAA's commissioned officer corps.

Conforming Changes: Replaces vague terms like "individuals who work with or conduct business on behalf of the Administration" with "covered personnel" and updates section headings/tables for clarity.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expands the scope from primarily sexual assault to include sexual harassment and equal employment discrimination, integrating data from anti-discrimination laws.
Introduces mandatory, immediate reporting by vessel operators to the Coast Guard, which was not previously required.
Adds protections for victim anonymity in restricted reporting, with exceptions for safety or legal needs, and requires policy updates for better confidentiality.
Enhances annual reports with more detailed, case-specific data and observer-focused tracking, replacing less comprehensive prior requirements.
Strengthens prohibitions under fishery laws by removing limitations (e.g., no longer requiring incidents to occur "forcibly" or "on a vessel").
Prohibits convicted individuals from NOAA officer roles, aligning with military standards (referencing a specific U.S. Code section on sexual offenses).

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: NOAA and the Department of Commerce will face increased administrative burdens for detailed reporting, policy updates, and notifications, but this could improve internal accountability and compliance with federal anti-harassment standards. The Coast Guard gains a new role in receiving and processing maritime reports, potentially straining resources initially.

On Citizens: NOAA employees, officers, contractors, and observers (e.g., those monitoring fisheries or endangered species) will have stronger protections, confidential reporting options, and support services, potentially reducing workplace trauma and retaliation. Victims may experience better privacy and faster responses, though expanded disclosures could raise concerns in some cases.

On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but improved safety for U.S. observers on international waters or vessels could enhance cooperation in global fisheries management and marine conservation efforts under treaties like the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Main Stakeholders Affected

NOAA Personnel: Employees, commissioned officers, and contractors, who gain expanded protections and reporting options.
Covered Personnel: Fisheries/protected species observers, at-sea monitors, and Regional Fishery Management Council staff, with specific reporting on their incidents.
Vessel Operators: Responsible entities for NOAA vessels or contractors, required to report incidents promptly.
U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Justice: Involved in receiving reports, investigations, and referrals for licensed mariners or criminal cases.
Victims and Advocates: Benefit from updated restricted reporting and privacy safeguards.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Aligns NOAA practices with broader federal frameworks like the Violence Against Women Act (for sexual assault definitions) and military sexual assault prevention laws, potentially reducing litigation from mishandled cases. The bill's emphasis on victim anonymity respects privacy rights under laws like the Privacy Act, while allowing disclosures for safety balances due process.

Constitutional: Supports equal protection under the 14th Amendment by addressing workplace discrimination in a federal agency, without raising free speech or due process concerns (as it focuses on internal policies and criminal referrals).

Political: Reflects bipartisan efforts (introduced by representatives from both parties) to combat sexual misconduct in non-military federal agencies, mirroring reforms in the armed forces. It could set a precedent for similar updates in other civilian agencies, promoting transparency but inviting scrutiny over implementation costs and effectiveness in remote maritime settings.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

2026-06-03: Subcommittee Hearings Held
2026-05-29: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2025-03-27: Introduced in House
2025-03-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (14 pages)