Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Legislation Re-Introduced
October 29, 2021 - This week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced the Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act, (HR 5706) legislation to help protect passengers and personnel from sexual assault and harassment in different modes of transportation.
“When it comes to the transportation of people, safety must always come first, and that includes protecting people from sexual harassment and assault,” Chair DeFazio said.
This legislation will help prevent sexual assaults and sexual harassment on airplanes, buses, passenger vessels, commuter and intercity passenger railroads, taxis and ridesharing vehicles. Specifically, it would require covered companies to establish formal policies against sexual assault and harassment, facilitate the reporting of sexual assault and harassment incidents, establish civil penalties for individuals who physically or sexually assault—or threaten to assault—transportation personnel, and require the Department of Transportation to collect and publicly share data on the number of sexual assault or harassment incidents reported by transportation companies covered under the bill.
