118 S484 RS: Combating Human Rights Abuses Act of 2023 U.S. Senate 2023-02-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 263118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 484IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 16, 2023Mr. Peters (for himself and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationDecember 5, 2023Reported by Ms. Cantwell, without amendmentA BILLTo require the Secretary of Commerce to provide training and guidance relating to human rights abuses, including such abuses perpetrated against the Uyghur population by the Government of the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Combating Human Rights Abuses Act of 2023.

2.

Training for employees of the Department of Commerce relating to awareness of human rights abuses

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Commerce shall provide training described in subsection (b) to such employees of the Department of Commerce who provide counseling services to businesses engaged in interstate commerce or foreign direct investment as the Secretary considers appropriate.(b)

Contents of training

The training required under subsection (a) shall be—(1)designed to raise awareness about emerging trends and issues with respect to human rights abuses occurring worldwide, such as human rights abuses perpetrated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, including the use of forced labor, against Uyghurs and other ethnic minority populations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; and(2)incorporated to the greatest extent possible into existing training provided by the Department of Commerce.(c)

Timing

The training required under subsection (a) shall be offered and updated at such times as the Secretary considers appropriate.

3.

Guidance for United States businesses relating to awareness of human rights abuses

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Commerce shall—(1)offer guidance for United States businesses engaged in interstate commerce or foreign direct investment, including such businesses that are, or are considering, conducting transactions with entities subject to the control or influence of jurisdictions where significant human rights abuses have occurred, such as the People’s Republic of China; and(2)incorporate the guidance required under paragraph (1) into any counseling services that the Department of Commerce provides to such businesses as the Secretary considers appropriate. (b)

Contents of guidance

The guidance required under subsection (a) shall—(1)provide information about emerging trends and issues involving human rights abuses, such as information that describes—(A)human rights abuses perpetrated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, including the use of forced labor, against Uyghurs and other ethnic minority populations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region;(B)risk factors that may be used to identify entities subject to the influence or control of jurisdictions such as the People’s Republic of China that may be implicated in human rights abuses;(C)ways to avoid doing business with entities described in subparagraph (B); and(D)potential reputational, economic, legal, and other risks of conducting transactions with an entity described in subparagraph (B); and(2)make clear that the guidance is for advisory purposes and that the Department of Commerce is not responsible for certifying the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in the guidance.

December 5, 2023Reported without amendment