H.R. 2695 · 117th Congress · House

Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced
Apr 20, 21
Passed House
May 18, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

This bill addresses sexual harassment and gender harassment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by supporting research regarding such harassment and efforts to prevent and respond to such harassment.

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or their consortia) to

  • expand research into sexual harassment and gender harassment in the STEM workforce, including students and trainees; and
  • examine interventions for reducing the incidence and negative consequences of such harassment.

(Sec. 5) The NSF must convene a working group composed of representatives of federal statistical agencies to develop questions on sexual harassment and gender harassment in STEM departments in order to gather national data on the prevalence, nature, and implications of such harassment in institutions of higher education.

(Sec. 6) The NSF shall enter into agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to (1) update a responsible conduct guide issued by the National Academies to include, among other things, updated professional standards of conduct in research and evidence-based practices for fostering a climate that is intolerant of sexual harassment and gender harassment; and (2) study the influence of such harassment in institutions of higher education on the career advancement of individuals in the STEM workforce.

(Sec. 7) The National Science and Technology Council shall establish an interagency working group to coordinate the federal science agencies' efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender harassment involving grant personnel.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a uniform set of policy guidelines for such agencies to prevent and respond to reports of sexual harassment and gender harassment.

Previous Versions

00Apr 20, 2021

Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

This bill addresses sexual harassment and gender harassment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by supporting research regarding such harassment and efforts to prevent and respond to such harassment.

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or their consortia) to

  • expand research into sexual harassment and gender harassment in the STEM workforce, including students and trainees; and
  • examine interventions for reducing the incidence and negative consequences of such harassment.

The NSF must convene a working group composed of representatives of federal statistical agencies to develop questions on sexual harassment and gender harassment in STEM departments in order to gather national data on the prevalence, nature, and implications of such harassment in institutions of higher education.

The NSF shall enter into agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to (1) update a responsible conduct guide issued by the National Academies to include, among other things, updated professional standards of conduct in research and evidence-based practices for fostering a climate that is intolerant of sexual harassment and gender harassment; and (2) study the influence of such harassment in institutions of higher education on the career advancement of individuals in the STEM workforce.

The National Science and Technology Council shall establish an interagency working group to coordinate the federal science agencies' efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender harassment involving grant personnel.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a uniform set of policy guidelines for such agencies to prevent and respond to reports of sexual harassment and gender harassment.

Action Timeline

12
  1. MAY 19, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  2. MAY 18, 2021Floor

    Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 2695 are considered vacated.

  3. MAY 18, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2515-2517)

    2482Yea
    2520Nay
    0NV
  4. MAY 18, 2021Floor

    Pursuant to section 5 of H

    Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2515-2517)

    2482Yea
    2520Nay
    0NV
  5. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    Ms

    Bonamici moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  6. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration

    CR H2401-2403; text: CR H2401-2402)

    2401Yea
    2403Nay
    0NV
  7. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2695.

  8. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  9. APR 20, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  10. APR 20, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  11. APR 20, 2021IntroReferral

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E426-427)

    426Yea
    427Nay
    0NV
  12. APR 20, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Committees

2

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: May 19, 2021

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Apr 20, 2021

Active