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

Q: What does Preamble of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This bill proposes amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. The stated purpose is to address sexual harassment and sexual assault involving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) personnel. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 27, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

Q: What does SHORT TITLE. of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025.

Q: What does REFERENCES. of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section clarifies how references to amendments or repeals within this Act should be interpreted. References to provisions being amended or repealed are considered to be made to a specific section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. The relevant section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 is subtitle C of title XXXV, codified as 33 U.S.C. 894 et seq.

Q: What does POLICY ON PREVENTION OF AND RESPONSE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 3541(f) of Title 33 of the United States Code. The amendment inserts 'and equal employment' after 'sexual harassment' in each instance it appears. Paragraph (2) of Section 3541(f) is modified by redesignating existing subparagraphs (C) and (D) as (D) and (E), respectively. A new subparagraph (C) is added to paragraph (2), requiring the inclusion of relevant data. The required data includes a synopsis of each case and disciplinary action taken, if any. The data also includes information collected pursuant to the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002.

Q: What does ANNUAL REPORT ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND EQUAL of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 3548 of Title 33 U.S.C. to modify its annual report requirements. The report's title is changed to 'annual report on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal employment in national oceanic and atmospheric administration'. Subsection (a) is modified to include 'sexual harassment and sexual assault cases involving, and the equal employment of'. Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) is updated to refer to 'harassment and sexual assault cases'. Paragraph (4) of subsection (b) now requires a synopsis of each sexual harassment and equal employment case and any disciplinary action taken. New paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection (b) require summaries of change of station requests and cases reported to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, respectively. A new paragraph (7) of subsection (b) requires reporting on alleged sexual harassment and sexual assault cases involving fisheries observers, protected species observers, and endangered species observers, including case synopses, investigation dispositions, and location details. Subsection (c) is amended to refer to 'harassment or sexual assault case'.

Q: What does INVESTIGATION AND CRIMINAL REFERRAL REQUIREMENTS. of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section amends existing provisions related to reporting sexual harassment and assault within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and related entities. It redesignates sections 3548 and 3549 of title 33, U.S. Code. It establishes exceptions regarding the anonymity of victims in certain cases, authorizing disclosure of personally identifying information under specific circumstances, such as with written consent, to prevent harm, or for victim services. It requires updates to policies regarding restricted reporting systems, ensuring confidentiality and preventing automatic investigative processes. It mandates reporting by the responsible entity of a vessel to the Commandant of the Coast Guard for incidents of sexual harassment or assault involving certain employees or crewmembers. It outlines procedures for reporting, including timing, mode, and required content, such as names, vessel information, and a description of the incident. The Secretary of Commerce is required to notify the Director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations of reports received.

Q: What does DEFINITIONS. of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 3552 to provide definitions for a subtitle. The term 'Administration' is defined as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Covered personnel” refers to individuals working with or conducting business on behalf of the Administration. “Covered personnel” includes observers, at-sea monitors, and catch monitors operating on vessels or at facilities related to commercial fisheries, protected species observation, or platform removal. “Covered personnel” also includes voting members and staff of Regional Fishery Management Councils. The “responsible entity of a vessel” is defined as the Director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations for vessels owned or operated by the Administration. “Sexual assault” is defined as the meaning given in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

Q: What does CONFORMING AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS. of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section makes conforming amendments to Subtitle C of title XXXV (33 U.S.C. 894 et seq.). The phrase 'individuals who work with or conduct business on behalf of the Administration' is replaced with 'covered personnel' throughout Subtitle C. The phrase 'National Oceanic and Atmospheric' is struck except in specific instances, including the title of the 'National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025', section 3551's heading, and section 3552(1). Tables of contents in section 2(b) and at the beginning of title XXXV are amended to include sections 3548, 3549, 3550, 3551, and 3552. The tables of contents now list sections related to exceptions regarding anonymity of victims, restricted reporting updates, mariner referrals, annual reports on sexual harassment, and definitions.

Q: What does PROHIBITED ACTS. of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 307(1)(L) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The amendment strikes the word 'forcibly'. The amendment also strikes the phrase 'on a vessel'.

Q: What does PROHIBITION ON SERVICE IN COMMISSIONED OFFICER CORPS OF of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002. It redesignates paragraph (26) as paragraph (27). It inserts a new paragraph (26) referencing Section 657, which relates to a prohibition on service by individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses.

Last updated: 6/3/2026 · Introduced: 3/27/2025

Author: Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends existing law to include 'equal employment' alongside 'sexual harassment' in NOAA policies and reporting requirements.
The annual report requirements for NOAA are expanded to include data on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal employment cases, including synopses of cases and disciplinary actions.
The bill establishes procedures for reporting sexual harassment and assault incidents involving NOAA personnel, including requirements for notifying the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
The definition of 'covered personnel' is broadened to include observers, at-sea monitors, catch monitors, and members/staff of Regional Fishery Management Councils.
The bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses from serving in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.

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