US Congress House Bill 3142 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Sponsorship: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)
Status: Introduced on July 21 2015 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2015-07-22 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Cruise Passenger Protection Act Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether any of the enumerated rights in the international cruise line passenger bill of rights (adopted by the members of the Cruise Lines International Association) is enforceable under federal law. Applies this Act to passenger vessels that: (1) carry at least 250 passengers, (2) have sleeping facilities for each passenger, (3) are on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States, (4) are not engaged in coastwise trade, and (5) are not federal- or state-owned. Revises passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) log book entries and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes; and (2) placement, access to records, and notice of video surveillance equipment to monitor crime. Directs DOT to maintain on a website a statistical compilation of reported incidents of missing persons, crimes, and other information for vessel passengers. Directs DOT, in coordination with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Department of Justice, and heads of other relevant federal agencies, to study the feasibility of having an individual on board each passenger vessel to provide victim support and related safety and security services. Requires the Maritime Administration (who, currently, is merely authorized) to certify organizations in the United States and abroad that offer the curriculum for training and certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crewmembers, and law enforcement officials on the appropriate methods for prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of crimes in international waters. Revises vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting requirements. Requires vessel owners to ensure that a vessel is staffed at all times with appropriate medical staff to treat passengers on board. Requires the peep hole or other means of visual identification in the entry door of a passenger stateroom or crew cabin to provide an unobstructed view of the area outside the stateroom or crew cabin. Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to withhold or revoke the clearance of, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to deny entry into the United States to, any vessel owner that: (1) commits an act or omission for which a penalty is imposed under this Act, or (2) fails to pay the penalty.

Cruise Passenger Protection Act

Rep. Doris Matsui [D-CA]	Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX]	Rep. James Himes [D-CT]	Rep. Niki Tsongas [D-MA]
Rep. Judy Chu [D-CA]	Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]	Sen. Adam Schiff [D-CA]	Rep. John Garamendi [D-CA]
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard [D-CA]	Rep. Steve Israel [D-NY]	Rep. Julia Brownley [D-CA]

Date	Chamber	Action
2015-07-22	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
2015-07-21	House	Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2015-07-21	House	Introduced in House

SB1673 (Related) 2015-06-24 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3142/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr3142/BILLS-114hr3142ih.pdf