Legis Daily

Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act

USA117th CongressHR-5964| House 
| Updated: 11/15/2021
Thomas R. Suozzi

Thomas R. Suozzi

Democratic Representative

New York

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Armed Services Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act This bill addresses sexual harassment and sexual assault at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and provides for greater diversity and inclusion at the academy and within the maritime transportation system workforce. The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall establish a Sexual Assault Advisory Council to review the academy's policy on sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and other relevant matters related to sexual assault and sexual harassment. The DOT's Maritime Administration shall (1) establish an information management system to track the number of sexual assault or sexual harassment incidents every fiscal year at the academy, and (2) implement comprehensive in-person sexual assault risk-reduction and response training for all midshipmen at the academy. Additionally, the bill designates a Special Victims' Counsel to provide legal assistance to any cadet of the academy who is the victim of a sex-related offense. Further, the Coast Guard shall assess the feasibility of implementing a program modeled on the Catch a Serial Offender program of the Department of Defense. The bill also expands the authority of the Coast Guard to suspend or revoke a mariner's license on grounds related to sexual harassment or assault. With respect to diversity and inclusion, DOT shall establish an interagency task force to discuss and share tools and practices that promote diversity and inclusiveness within the maritime transportation system workforce. The Maritime Administration shall promulgate a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to increase recruiting efforts in historically underrepresented communities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Nov 12, 2021
Introduced in House
Nov 12, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 15, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Dec 7, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-3196
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  • November 12, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • November 12, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • November 15, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.


  • December 7, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-3196
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • S 117-3196: Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act

Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act

USA117th CongressHR-5964| House 
| Updated: 11/15/2021
Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act This bill addresses sexual harassment and sexual assault at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and provides for greater diversity and inclusion at the academy and within the maritime transportation system workforce. The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall establish a Sexual Assault Advisory Council to review the academy's policy on sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and other relevant matters related to sexual assault and sexual harassment. The DOT's Maritime Administration shall (1) establish an information management system to track the number of sexual assault or sexual harassment incidents every fiscal year at the academy, and (2) implement comprehensive in-person sexual assault risk-reduction and response training for all midshipmen at the academy. Additionally, the bill designates a Special Victims' Counsel to provide legal assistance to any cadet of the academy who is the victim of a sex-related offense. Further, the Coast Guard shall assess the feasibility of implementing a program modeled on the Catch a Serial Offender program of the Department of Defense. The bill also expands the authority of the Coast Guard to suspend or revoke a mariner's license on grounds related to sexual harassment or assault. With respect to diversity and inclusion, DOT shall establish an interagency task force to discuss and share tools and practices that promote diversity and inclusiveness within the maritime transportation system workforce. The Maritime Administration shall promulgate a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to increase recruiting efforts in historically underrepresented communities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Nov 12, 2021
Introduced in House
Nov 12, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 15, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Dec 7, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-3196
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  • November 12, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • November 12, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • November 15, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.


  • December 7, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-3196
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Thomas R. Suozzi

Thomas R. Suozzi

Democratic Representative

New York

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Armed Services Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • S 117-3196: Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted