b'SAFETY MATTERSSAFETYSASH Update: Definition of Harassment and 2024 Annual ReportERIC CHRISTENSEN // PVA DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS & RISK MANAGEMENTO n Dec. 18, 2025, the Nation- (1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking ha- orimplicitlyatermorconditionof alDefenseAuthorizationrassment, sexual harassment, or sexualemployment, pay, career, benefits, or Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Yearassault in violation of employer policy orentitlements of an individual; or(FY) 2026 was signed into law. Con- law and inserting sexual harassment tainedwithintheNDAAwastheor sexual assault in violation of employ- (ii) submission to or rejection of suchU.S. Coast Guard Authorization Acter policy or law or harassment; and remarks or conduct by an individual (CGAA)of2025.Section7315ofis used as the basis for decisions affect-the CGAA, Requirements to Report(2) by adding at the end, the following: ing that individuals job, pay, career, SexualOffenses,madechangestobenefits, or entitlements; orthe Safer Seas Act originally passed(h) HARASSMENT DEFINEDIn in the fiscal year 2023 NDAA. Thethissection,thetermharassment iii)suchremarksorconducthave (amendments included adding a defi- means the purpose or effect of unreasonably nition of harassment that was lackinginterfering with an individuals work in the Safer Seas Act and requiring(1)(A)unwelcomeremarksaboutanperformance; andcoordinationbetweentheCoastindividualsrace,color,religion,sex, GuardandtheEqualEmploymentnational origin, age, disability, genetic(C)suchremarksorconductaresoOpportunityCommission(EEOC)information, or other physical or phys- severe or pervasive that a reasonable forthedisseminationofeducationiological attribute, or other unwelcomeperson would perceive, and the alleged and outreach materials. verbal or physical conduct towards anharassed individual does perceive, the individual based on 1 or more of thoseenvironment as hostile or offensive.Additionally,theCoastGuardre- categories, as prohibited by any federal leaseditsFY2024annualreportlaw, including (i)RESPONSETOINCIDENTSSexualMisconductonU.S.Ves- Nothinginthissectionshallbecon-sels.Thisreport,mandatedby i) title VII of the Civil Rights Act ofstruedtoimpedetheabilityofthe (Congressstartingin2022provides1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); responsibleentityofthevesseltotake informationonreportsreceivedbyimmediate personnel action in response theCoastGuardandactionstaken ii)theAgeDiscriminationinEm- to an incident described in subsection (a)(by the Coast Guard and Departmentployment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621(1) to preserve the safety and security of of Justice (DOJ). et seq.); individuals on the vessel.DEFINITION OF HARASSMENT (iii) the Americans with Disabilities(j)EDUCATIONANDOUT- ThebelowamendmentsarepulledAct of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.);REACHNot later than one year after directlyfromthelegislationpassedand the date of the enactment of this Act, the under the FY2026 NDAA: CoastGuard,afterconsultationwith (iv) title II of the Genetic InformationtheEqualEmploymentOpportunitySEC.7315.REQUIREMENTTONondisclosure Act (42 U.S.C. 2000ffCommission, shallREPORT SEXUAL OFFENSES. et seq.); and(1)developanddisseminateinfor-Section 10104 of title 46, United States B)(i)submissiontosuchremarksmationalguidancetoseafarers,vessel (Code, is amended orconductismadeeitherexplicitlyowners and operators, employers of sea-FOGHORN 30'