US Codex
Bill
Notes

To improve provisions of law relating to sexual harassment and assault prevention at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.

S. 2782 · 116th Congress · Nov 5, 2019 · Lineage

A BILL

Section 1 Improvements relating to sexual harassment and assault prevention at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(a)
Anonymous reporting— Subtitle C of title XXXV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (33 U.S.C. 894 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in section 3541(b)(3)(B) (33 U.S.C. 894(b)(3)(B)), by striking “confidentially” and inserting “anonymously”; and
(2)
in section 3542(b)(5)(B) (33 U.S.C. 894a(b)(5)(B)), by striking “confidentially” and inserting “anonymously”.
(b)
Investigative requirement— Such subtitle is amended—
(1)
by redesignating sections 3546 and 3547 as sections 3548 and 3549, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after section 3545 the following:

“3546. Investigation requirement

“(a) Requirement To investigate

“(1) In general—The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall ensure that each allegation of sexual assault reported under section 3541 and each allegation of sexual harassment reported under section 3542 is investigated thoroughly and promptly.

“(2) Sense of Congress on commencement of investigation—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should ensure that an investigation of an alleged sexual assault reported under section 3541 or sexual harassment reported under section 3542 commences not later than 48 hours after the time at which the allegation was reported.

“(b) Notification of delay—In any case in which the time between the reporting of an alleged sexual assault or sexual harassment under section 3541 or 3542, respectively, and commencement of an investigation of the allegation exceeds 48 hours, the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives of the delay.

“3547. Criminal referral

“If the Secretary of Commerce finds, pursuant to an investigation under section 3546, evidence that a crime may have been committed, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, including the appropriate United States Attorney.”

(c)
Clerical amendment— The table of contents in section 2(b) of such Act is amended by striking the items relating to sections 3546 and 3547 and inserting the following new items: