Bill > HR7557

This bill, the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act of 2024, aims to protect members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment and increase transparency within the Coast Guard. Key provisions include: - Requiring the Commandant to submit annual reports on the status of implementing directed actions to address sexual assault and harassment issues in the Coast Guard. - Directing the Government Accountability Office to conduct an independent review of the Coast Guard's efforts to mitigate sexual assault and harassment, and make recommendations for improvements. - Requiring the Coast Guard to maintain records related to investigations and disposition decisions on misconduct cases. - Establishing a process for cadets at the Coast Guard Academy who are victims of sexual assault or related offenses to request a transfer to another service academy or ROTC program. - Allowing the Secretary to designate certain Coast Guard officers as having expertise in military justice or healthcare. - Providing the Coast Guard with direct hiring authority for certain personnel focused on preventing harmful behaviors. - Establishing a "safe-to-report" policy for minor collateral misconduct related to sexual assault incidents. - Modifying the due date for the Coast Guard's annual sexual assault report. - Allowing for higher-level review of board decisions to retain officers who have committed sexual assault offenses. - Authorizing boards of review to downgrade discharges or dismissals of former Coast Guard members for sexual assault or harassment offenses.