Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill Clears Senate Committee

On November 2, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved en bloc, by voice vote, the Coast Guard Authorization Act (S. 1665).

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), would authorize $8.7 billion annually for FY2012 and FY2013 for Coast Guard operations and personnel, and would, among other provisions, address sexual harassment and sexual violence at the Coast Guard Academy.

Specifically, the bill would require the superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy to develop a policy to promote awareness of, and prevent, sexual harassment and sexual violence. The policy would include:

• Programs to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other criminal sexual offenses on and off the Academy property;
• Procedures for victims to follow should they choose to report the incident. The procedures would include information on how to report the incident, contact information for victim assistance, and how to preserve evidence;
• Procedures for disciplinary action and other authorized sanctions against Coast Guard personnel who commit such acts; and
• Required training on the policy for all Coast Guard Academy personnel. The training would include specialized training for personnel who will process the allegations of sexual harassment and violence.

The superintendent would be required to conduct annual assessments to determine the effectiveness of the policy, as well as assess biennially the:

• Occurrences of sexual harassment and violence that is reported and not reported; and
• Perceptions of Coast Guard personnel on the policy, training, and procedures; enforcement; and any other issues pertaining to sexual harassment and violence involving Coast Guard personnel that the superintendent considers relevant.

The superintendent also would be required to report to the commandant of the Coast Guard annually on:

• The number of reported incidents of sexual violence involving Coast Guard personnel, and on the number of those reports that have been substantiated;
• Any updates to the sexual harassment and violence policy, training, and procedures; and
• Details of plans for the subsequent Academy program year to reduce and prevent such incidents involving Coast Guard personnel, whether on or off of Coast Guard facilities.