Coast Guard Survivors Justice Act

Coast Guard Survivors
Justice Act

Let's Make This Bill Federal Law

THE BILL

Coast Guard Survivors Justice Act: Empowering All Survivors, Demanding Accountability, Opening the Doors of Justice.

This Bill is a work in progress. Please get involved to receive updates on the evolution and progress of our legislation.

What the Act Does:

Yes, we could draft a big, complex piece of legislation to address the systemic injustices survivors of Coast Guard sexual abuse have endured. However, we believe a smarter approach is to be minimalist, and to ask for nothing more than that Congress give us the same rights to bring suits in federal court that every other American who doesn’t serve in the military already possesses. Read the bill below:
 

A BILL

To amend chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, to allow claims against the United States for injuries and damages arising from sexual harassment and sexual assault in the United States Coast Guard.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Coast Guard Survivors Justice Act”.

SECTION 2. CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE COAST GUARD.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 2681. Claims against the United States for sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Coast Guard

“(a) CLAIMS AUTHORIZED.—Notwithstanding section 2680(h) of this title or any other provision of law, a claim may be brought against the United States under this chapter for damages arising out of the sexual harassment or sexual assault of any person while serving as a member of the Coast Guard, if—

“(1) the act constituting sexual harassment or sexual assault arose out of conduct occurring within the scope of the offender’s employment or duties for the Coast Guard; and

“(2) the offender was acting as an employee of the Coast Guard at the time of the conduct giving rise to the claim.

“(b) PROCEDURE.—A claim under this section shall be brought in the same manner as any action against the United States filed pursuant to section 1346(b) of this title.

(c) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—

(1) CLAIMS ARISING BEFORE ENACTMENT.—A claim under this section for conduct occurring before the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Survivors Justice Act shall not be subject to any statute of limitations.

(2) CLAIMS ARISING AFTER ENACTMENT.—A claim under this section for conduct occurring on or after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Survivors Justice Act shall be forever barred unless it is presented in writing to the appropriate Federal agency within 5 years after such claim accrues or unless action is begun within 6 months after the date of mailing, by certified or registered mail, of notice of final denial of the claim by the agency to which it was presented.”

JOIN US IN FIGHTING FOR THIS CRUCIAL LEGISLATION AND SUPPORTING COAST GUARD SURVIVORS.