Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§894d–1 Investigation requirement

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 17— - NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VI— - SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT PREVENTION › § 894d–1

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, must investigate every report of sexual harassment (section 894) or sexual assault (section 894a). Congress expects those investigations to begin within 48 hours of the report. If an investigation does not start within 48 hours, the Secretary must notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §894d–1

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall ensure that each allegation of sexual harassment reported under section 894 of this title and each allegation of sexual assault reported under section 894a of this title is investigated thoroughly and promptly.

(2)It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should ensure that an investigation of alleged sexual harassment reported under section 894 of this title or sexual assault reported under section 894a of this title commences not later than 48 hours after the time at which the allegation was reported.

(b)In any case in which the time between the reporting of alleged sexual harassment or sexual assault under section 894 or 894a of this title, respectively, and commencement of an investigation of the allegation exceeds 48 hours, the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives of the delay.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3546 of Pub. L. 114–328 was renumbered section 3548 and is classified to section 894e of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 894d–1

Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73