DeFazio Introduces Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment in Passenger Transportation
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and all Democratic members of the Committee introduced H.R. 5857, the “Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act,” legislation that requires passenger airlines, commuter and intercity passenger railroads, transit agencies, operators of passenger vessels, and certain types of bus companies to prescribe formal policies on sexual assault and harassment of employees and passengers in transportation.
“The number-one goal in the transportation of people, whether it is across town or across an ocean, must be safety. Today, I introduced legislation to require transportation providers to develop formal policies to help prevent sexual assault and harassment in transportation and hold those who perpetrate these egregious acts accountable under all applicable laws. This legislation will help build a safer transportation system for all Americans,” DeFazio said.
The “Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act” would require transportation providers to adopt a formal policy providing that sexual assault and harassment in transportation is unacceptable under any circumstance. These providers must prominently display, on their websites or otherwise, a statement that they have adopted such a policy as well as the procedures their passengers can follow for reporting incidents of sexual assault and harassment. The policy must facilitate the reporting of these incidents; establish procedures for employees to follow if such an incident is reported; and require all appropriate employees to be trained on the policy.
In addition, the bill increases the current civil penalty for interference with crewmembers in commercial aviation from $25,000 to $35,000 and creates a similar civil penalty to protect employees working in other modes of transportation. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to annually collect data on incidents of sexual assault and harassment and make this data publicly available.
Original cosponsors:
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings
Rep. Rick Larsen
Rep. Michael E. Capuano
Rep. Grace F. Napolitano
Rep. Daniel Lipinski
Rep. Steve Cohen
Rep. Albio Sires
Rep. John Garamendi
Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr.
Rep. André Carson
Rep. Richard M. Nolan
Rep. Dina Titus
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney
Rep. Elizabeth H. Esty
Rep. Lois Frankel
Rep. Cheri Bustos
Rep. Jared Huffman
Rep. Julia Brownley
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson
Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Rep. Alan S. Lowenthal
Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier
Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett
Groups supporting H.R. 5857, the Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation:
Transportation Trades Department
Association of Flight Attendants
Association of Professional Flight Attendants
Amalgamated Transit Union
Full bill text can be found here.
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