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Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110

§894d–1 Investigation Requirement

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

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, must make sure every report of sexual harassment (under section 894) and sexual assault (under section 894a) is investigated fully and quickly. Congress says those investigations should begin no later than 48 hours after a report is made. If an investigation does not start within 48 hours, the Secretary must tell 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)Requirement to investigate
(1)In general
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)Sense of Congress on commencement of investigation
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)Notification of delay
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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110