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H.R.6866 / 117th Congress

Safer Seas Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 28, 2022

Safer Seas Act

This bill addresses sexual assault and sexual harassment in the U.S. maritime industry.

Among other provisions, the bill

requires the U.S. Coast Guard to revoke or suspend a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document to an individual who has been convicted of sexual assault within the previous 10 years and to revoke or suspend such credentials to an individual who has been convicted of sexual harassment within the previous 5 years;

provides protection of seaman against discrimination for those who report or intend to report sexual assault or sexual harassment incidents;

directs the Coast Guard to promulgate regulations related to possession and consumption of alcohol by crewmembers aboard documented vessels;

requires non-passenger carrying, ocean-going, commercial vessels to install and maintain a video surveillance system with audio capability in areas adjacent to bedrooms and limit access to the surveillance to law enforcement officials and victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment; and

creates new reporting mandates and procedures for crew and vessel owners to report sexual assault or sexual harassment.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] · D–OR

Committees

  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Armed Services Committee
19 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.6866 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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