[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4947 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4947

    To improve passenger vessel security and safety, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2024

 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mr. Markey) introduced the following 
 bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To improve passenger vessel security and safety, and for other 
                               purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Cruise Passenger 
Protection Act of 2024''.
    (b) References to Title 46, United States Code.--Except as 
otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or 
repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a 
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be 
made to a section or other provision of title 46, United States Code.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; references.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
   TITLE I--COVERED PASSENGER VESSEL CONSUMER SERVICE AND PROTECTION

Sec. 101. Covered passenger vessel consumer service improvements.
Sec. 102. Cruise line passenger bill of rights; advisory committee for 
                            covered passenger vessel consumer 
                            protection.
Sec. 103. Assistance to victims of crimes on board certain passenger 
                            vessels.
Sec. 104. Clerical amendments.
             TITLE II--CRUISE VESSEL PASSENGER IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 201. Cruise vessel chapter organization, application, and 
                            definitions.
Sec. 202. Crime reporting and public notice.
Sec. 203. Crime prevention, documentation, and response requirements.
Sec. 204. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements.
Sec. 205. Enforcement.
Sec. 206. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 207. Limitations in certain cases.

   TITLE I--COVERED PASSENGER VESSEL CONSUMER SERVICE AND PROTECTION

SEC. 101. COVERED PASSENGER VESSEL CONSUMER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS.

    Subtitle II is amended by adding at the end the following:

            ``PART L--OFFICE OF MARITIME CONSUMER PROTECTION

         ``CHAPTER 161--OFFICE OF MARITIME CONSUMER PROTECTION

``16101. Definitions.
``16102. Application.
``16103. Office of Maritime Consumer Protection.
``16104. Covered passenger vessel consumer service improvements.
``16105. Invalidation of pre-dispute arbitration and class action 
                            waiver clauses in certain contracts 
                            relating to covered passenger vessel 
                            transportation.
``Sec. 16101. Definitions
    ``In this chapter:
            ``(1) Applicable passenger.--The term `applicable 
        passenger' means a passenger on a covered passenger vessel who 
        is a citizen of the United States.
            ``(2) Assistant general counsel.--The term `Assistant 
        General Counsel' means the Assistant General Counsel for the 
        Office of Maritime Consumer Protection.
            ``(3) Covered passenger vessel.--The term `covered 
        passenger vessel' means a passenger vessel or small passenger 
        vessel to which this chapter applies, in accordance with 
        section 16102 of this title.
            ``(4) Key terms.--The term `key terms' includes terms 
        related to undisclosed costs and fees, indemnification, 
        waivers, limitations on liability, notice of claim and actions, 
        time limitations, arbitration, forum, and jurisdiction.
            ``(5) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of 
        Maritime Consumer Protection.
            ``(6) Owner.--The term `owner' means the owner, charterer, 
        managing operator, master, or other individual in charge of a 
        vessel.
            ``(7) Passage contract.--The term `passage contract' means 
        a binding agreement for passage on a covered passenger vessel.
            ``(8) Secretary.--Notwithstanding section 2101 of this 
        title, the term `Secretary' means the Secretary of 
        Transportation.
``Sec. 16102. Application
    ``(a) In General.--This chapter applies to passenger vessels and 
small passenger vessels.
    ``(b) Federal and State Vessels.--This chapter does not apply to--
            ``(1) a vessel of the United States operated by the Federal 
        Government; or
            ``(2) a vessel owned and operated by a State.
``Sec. 16103. Office of Maritime Consumer Protection
    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Office of the 
General Counsel of the Department of Transportation an Office of 
Maritime Consumer Protection.
    ``(b) Head.--The Office shall be headed by the Assistant General 
Counsel for the Office of Maritime Consumer Protection.
    ``(c) Duties.--The Office shall--
            ``(1) serve as the primary entity of the Department of 
        Transportation with respect to consumer protection issues 
        relating to covered passenger vessels (unless otherwise 
        provided under law), including--
                    ``(A) carrying out the requirements of this 
                chapter;
                    ``(B) providing assistance to the industry 
                regarding compliance assistance under this chapter;
                    ``(C) processing consumer complaints regarding the 
                requirements of this chapter and other consumer 
                complaints regarding covered passenger vessels;
                    ``(D) inspecting covered passenger vessels to 
                ensure that owners of such vessels have knowledge of 
                the consumer protection requirements that apply;
                    ``(E) investigating potential consumer protection 
                violations regarding maritime travel; and
                    ``(F) pursuing enforcement of such violations; and
            ``(2) serve as the implementing office for the duties of 
        the Secretary under section 102 of the Cruise Passenger 
        Protection Act of 2024.
``Sec. 16104. Covered passenger vessel consumer service improvements
    ``(a) Passage Contracts.--
            ``(1) Development of standards.--
                    ``(A) Passenger vessels.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date on which the advisory committee makes 
                its recommendations under section 102(b)(6)(C) of the 
                Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2024, the Secretary, 
                acting through the Assistant General Counsel, shall 
                develop standards for use by an owner of a covered 
                passenger vessel that is a passenger vessel or, subject 
                to subparagraph (B), a small passenger vessel, to 
                provide a prospective applicable passenger with a 
                summary that highlights key terms in the passage 
                contract and is provided before such terms are binding.
                    ``(B) Small passenger vessels.--The Secretary shall 
                determine the extent to which standards developed under 
                subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to passage 
                contracts for small passenger vessels.
            ``(2) Consultation.--In developing the standards under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary may consult with other Federal 
        agencies, persons with expertise on admiralty and maritime law, 
        consumer advocates, industry representatives, and such other 
        persons as the Secretary considers necessary.
            ``(3) Statute of limitations.--The statute of limitations 
        for filing a lawsuit against the owner of a covered passenger 
        vessel, which shall not be shorter than 3 years, shall be 
        clearly identified in the passage contract described in 
        paragraph (1).
            ``(4) Recommendations.--The standards developed under 
        paragraph (1) shall include recommendations regarding--
                    ``(A) style, formatting, and placement that ensures 
                that the summary is conspicuous; and
                    ``(B) terminology that ensures that the summary 
                is--
                            ``(i) clear, unambiguous, and unmistakable; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) to the greatest extent possible, 
                        uniform, concise, and not complex.
            ``(5) Periodic review.--The Secretary shall periodically 
        review and update, as appropriate, the standards developed 
        under paragraph (1).
            ``(6) Requirements.--Beginning on the date that is 180 days 
        after the date on which the standards are developed under 
        paragraph (1), an owner of a covered passenger vessel shall--
                    ``(A) provide each prospective applicable passenger 
                with a summary in accordance with the standards that 
                apply to the covered passenger vessel under paragraph 
                (1);
                    ``(B) include a prominently accessible link to the 
                summary on each internet website that the owner 
                maintains for prospective applicable passengers to 
                purchase or book passage on the covered passenger 
                vessel; and
                    ``(C) include the summary in any promotional 
                literature or advertising, through any medium of 
                communication in the United States offering passage or 
                soliciting applicable passengers for ocean voyages 
                anywhere in the world, that the Secretary considers 
                necessary to adequately notify a prospective applicable 
                passenger of the key terms in the passage contract 
                before such terms are binding.
            ``(7) Preemption.--The standards developed under paragraph 
        (1) shall preempt any related State standards that require a 
        summary that provides less information to a prospective 
        applicable passenger than the information required to be 
        provided under this subsection, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(b) Covered Passenger Vessel Consumer Complaints.--
            ``(1) Toll-free hotline and internet website link for 
        consumer passenger vessel complaints.--The Secretary, acting 
        through the Assistant General Counsel, shall--
                    ``(A) establish a consumer complaints toll-free 
                hotline telephone number for applicable passengers;
                    ``(B) establish a consumer complaints link for use 
                by applicable passengers on the internet website 
                maintained under section 16106(i); and
                    ``(C) notify the public of--
                            ``(i) the telephone number established 
                        under subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) the internet website maintained 
                        under section 16106(i).
            ``(2) Website.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant 
        General Counsel, shall--
                    ``(A) maintain a statistical compilation of all 
                consumer complaints on the internet website under 
                section 16106(i) that provides a numerical accounting 
                of each category of consumer complaint;
                    ``(B) update the data referred to in subparagraph 
                (A) not less frequently than monthly;
                    ``(C) aggregate such data by covered passenger 
                vessel; and
                    ``(D) identify each covered passenger vessel by 
                name.
            ``(3) Investigations of consumer complaints.--The 
        Secretary, acting through the Assistant General Counsel and in 
        coordination with other relevant Federal agencies, may 
        investigate consumer complaints from applicable passengers, 
        including--
                    ``(A) cancellations, delays, and port skipping;
                    ``(B) lost, damaged, and delayed baggage;
                    ``(C) conditions on board the covered passenger 
                vessel;
                    ``(D) problems in obtaining refunds for unused or 
                lost tickets or fare adjustments;
                    ``(E) incorrect or incomplete information about 
                fares, discount fare conditions and availability, 
                overcharges, and fare increases;
                    ``(F) deceptive or misleading advertising; and
                    ``(G) compliance with Federal regulations.
            ``(4) Referral to federal or state agency.--The Secretary 
        may refer any complaint received under this subsection to the 
        Attorney General or a relevant Federal or State agency for 
        action, as appropriate.
            ``(5) Notice to passengers.--
                    ``(A) Internet websites.--Each owner of a covered 
                passenger vessel shall include, in a conspicuous 
                location on each internet website that such owner 
                maintains for applicable passengers to purchase or book 
                passage on the covered passenger vessel--
                            ``(i) the telephone number established 
                        under paragraph (1)(A);
                            ``(ii) the consumer complaints link 
                        established under paragraph (1)(B); and
                            ``(iii) any other information necessary for 
                        an applicable passenger to submit a consumer 
                        complaint for resolution.
                    ``(B) Boarding documentation.--The owner of a 
                covered passenger vessel shall include the telephone 
                number and internet address of the link for consumer 
                complaints established under paragraph (1) on--
                            ``(i) any promotional literature or 
                        advertising, through any medium of 
                        communication in the United States offering 
                        passage or soliciting applicable passengers for 
                        ocean voyages on covered passenger vessels, 
                        that the Secretary considers necessary to 
                        adequately notify such prospective passenger of 
                        the telephone number and internet address; and
                            ``(ii) any electronic confirmation of the 
                        purchase of passage on a covered passenger 
                        vessel.
    ``(c) Penalties.--
            ``(1) Civil penalty.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Assistant General Counsel, may impose on any person that 
        violates this section or a regulation under this section a 
        civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each day during 
        which the violation continues.
            ``(2) Criminal penalty.--Any person that willfully violates 
        this section or a regulation under this section shall be fined 
        not more than $250,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or 
        both.
    ``(d) Rulemaking.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant 
General Counsel, shall issue such regulations as are necessary to 
implement this section.
``Sec. 16105. Invalidation of pre-dispute arbitration and class action 
              waiver clauses in certain contracts relating to covered 
              passenger vessel transportation
    ``(a) Covered Contract.--In this section, the term `covered 
contract' means a contract for the purchase of a ticket for 
transportation on a covered passenger vessel.
    ``(b) Arbitration.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
arbitration may be used to settle a controversy arising from or 
relating to a provision of a covered contract only if, after the 
controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent, in writing, 
to use arbitration to settle the controversy.
    ``(c) Class Actions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
no predispute joint-action waiver shall be valid or enforceable with 
respect to any alleged claim regarding a covered contract.
    ``(d) Court Determinations.--An issue as to whether this section 
applies with respect to a dispute shall be determined under Federal 
law. The applicability of this section to an agreement to arbitrate and 
the validity and enforceability of a covered contract shall be 
determined by a court, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of 
whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration 
agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the 
covered contract containing such agreement, and irrespective of whether 
the agreement purports to delegate such determinations to an 
arbitrator.
    ``(e) Applicability.--This section shall apply with respect to 
contracts entered into, or renewed, on or after the date of the 
enactment of the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2024.''.

SEC. 102. CRUISE LINE PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS; ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR 
              COVERED PASSENGER VESSEL CONSUMER PROTECTION.

    (a) Bill of Rights.--
            (1) Enforceability.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, 
        acting through the Assistant General Counsel for the Office of 
        Maritime Consumer Protection, shall determine whether any of 
        the enumerated rights in the international cruise line 
        passenger bill of rights, which was adopted in 2013 by the 
        members of the Cruise Lines International Association, are 
        enforceable under Federal law.
            (2) Required statement.--The Secretary of Transportation, 
        acting through the Assistant General Counsel for the Office of 
        Maritime Consumer Protection, shall include in the standards 
        developed under section 16104(a) of title 46, United States 
        Code, a statement informing a prospective passenger--
                    (A) which rights referred to in paragraph (1) are 
                legally enforceable; and
                    (B) how a passenger or prospective passenger might 
                pursue such enforcement, including identifying any 
                action, including a private cause of action, an 
                administrative action, or any other method of 
                enforcement, that may be taken or pursued.
    (b) Advisory Committee for Covered Passenger Vessel Consumer 
Protection.--
            (1) Definition of covered passenger vessel.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``covered passenger vessel'' means a 
        passenger vessel or small passenger vessel to which chapter 161 
        of title 46, United States Code, applies.
            (2) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, acting 
        through the Assistant General Counsel for the Office of 
        Maritime Consumer Protection, shall establish an advisory 
        committee for covered passenger vessel consumer protection 
        (referred to in this subsection as the ``advisory committee'') 
        to advise the Secretary in carrying out activities relating to 
        passenger vessel customer service improvements.
            (3) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--By not later than 180 days after 
                the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
                Transportation shall appoint the members of the 
                advisory committee, which shall be comprised of 1 
                representative each of--
                            (i) owners of passenger vessels, as defined 
                        in section 2101 of title 46, United States 
                        Code;
                            (ii) owners of small passenger vessels, as 
                        defined in such section;
                            (iii) international industry-related 
                        associations;
                            (iv) State or local governments with 
                        expertise in consumer protection matters;
                            (v) nonprofit public interest groups with 
                        expertise in consumer protection matters;
                            (vi) nonprofit public interest groups with 
                        expertise in victim assistance; and
                            (vii) relevant Federal agencies, as 
                        determined by the Secretary of Transportation.
                    (B) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the advisory committee 
                shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
                appointment was made.
                    (C) Chair.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
                designate, from among the individuals appointed under 
                subparagraph (A), an individual to serve as chair of 
                the advisory committee.
            (4) Meetings.--The advisory committee shall meet at the 
        call of the chair of the advisory committee, but not less 
        frequently than annually.
            (5) Travel expenses.--Members of the advisory committee 
        shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, 
        including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
        subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
            (6) Duties.--The advisory committee shall--
                    (A) evaluate existing consumer protection programs 
                or services for covered passenger vessels;
                    (B) recommend to the Secretary of Transportation--
                            (i) improvements needed to the programs or 
                        services under subparagraph (A), as necessary; 
                        and
                            (ii) any additional consumer protection 
                        programs or services for covered passenger 
                        vessels, as necessary;
                    (C) not later than 1 year after the date on which 
                the committee is established under paragraph (2), 
                recommend to the Secretary of Transportation which key 
                terms in a passage contract for a covered passenger 
                vessel should be highlighted before such terms are 
                binding, such as--
                            (i) products and services available on 
                        board the covered passenger vessel for an 
                        undisclosed cost or fee or that otherwise are 
                        not included in the price of passage;
                            (ii) the country under which the covered 
                        passenger vessel is registered or flagged;
                            (iii) a statement that, under certain 
                        circumstances, a passenger on a covered 
                        passenger vessel may be subject to the law of a 
                        foreign country;
                            (iv) the covered passenger vessel may not 
                        accept responsibility for any health care 
                        services provided to a passenger by medical 
                        staff on board the covered passenger vessel;
                            (v) the maximum amount an owner of a 
                        covered passenger vessel will reimburse a 
                        passenger for lost or stolen property while on 
                        board the passenger vessel; and
                            (vi) where to file a notice of claim or 
                        initiate any legal action against the owner of 
                        the covered passenger vessel; and
                    (D) annually for the 5-year period beginning on the 
                date on which the advisory committee is established, 
                and periodically thereafter as the advisory committee 
                determines necessary, review the recommendations 
                described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) and submit any 
                recommended updates to the Secretary of Transportation.
            (7) Report to congress.--Not later than 30 days after the 
        Secretary of Transportation receives recommendations, including 
        updated recommendations, under paragraph (6) from the advisory 
        committee, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that 
        contains--
                    (A) such recommendations of the advisory committee;
                    (B) an explanation of whether and how the industry 
                has implemented each recommendation; and
                    (C) for each recommendation not implemented, the 
                industry's reason for not implementing the 
                recommendation.
            (8) Termination.--The advisory committee shall terminate on 
        the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this 
        Act.

SEC. 103. ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES ON BOARD CERTAIN PASSENGER 
              VESSELS.

    (a) Authority To Provide Assistance to Victims of Crimes on Board 
Passenger Vessels.--Chapter 161, as added by section 101 of this Act, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 16106. Assistance to victims of crimes on board certain 
              passenger vessels
    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide to an 
applicable passenger who is an alleged victim of an incident described 
in section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i)--
            ``(1) a written summary of rights described in subsection 
        (e);
            ``(2) a primary point of contact within the Federal 
        Government; and
            ``(3) a means of obtaining immediate, free, and 
        confidential support services.
    ``(b) Director of Victim Support Services.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There shall be a director of victim 
        support services of the Office.
            ``(2) Designation; public outreach.--
                    ``(A) Interim director.--Not later than 30 days 
                after the date of enactment of the Cruise Passenger 
                Protection Act of 2024, the Secretary shall designate 
                an employee of the Department of Transportation as the 
                interim director of victim support services, who shall 
                serve in such position until a final designation or 
                appointment is made under subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Final designation and public outreach.--Not 
                later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the 
                Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2024, the Secretary, 
                in consultation with the Department of Justice and 
                other relevant Federal agencies, shall--
                            ``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the 
                        director of victim support; and
                            ``(ii) determine an effective way to 
                        publicize the toll-free telephone number under 
                        subsection (c) and the availability of support 
                        services under this section.
            ``(3) Responsibilities.--The director of victim support 
        services shall--
                    ``(A) be responsible for acting as a primary point 
                of contact within the Federal Government for any 
                applicable passenger described in subsection (a);
                    ``(B) coordinate with one or more nonprofit 
                organizations or other entities that can provide the 
                types of support services described in subsection (d);
                    ``(C) establish a process for an applicable 
                passenger described in subsection (a) to obtain the 
                appropriate types of support services described in 
                subsection (d);
                    ``(D) recommend a process for an applicable 
                passenger described in subsection (a) to obtain an 
                appropriate continuum of care;
                    ``(E) recommend a process for an applicable 
                passenger described in subsection (a) to obtain 
                information on the status of any related criminal 
                investigation;
                    ``(F) develop guidance, consistent with the purpose 
                of this section, for the security guide under section 
                3523(c)(1), including a process to ensure that an owner 
                of a passenger vessel provides a copy of the security 
                guide to an applicable passenger immediately after the 
                vessel is notified that the passenger is an alleged 
                victim of an incident described in section 
                3523(g)(3)(A)(i);
                    ``(G) periodically update that guidance, as 
                necessary; and
                    ``(H) be the primary liaison between an applicable 
                passenger described in subsection (a) and--
                            ``(i) the owner of the passenger vessel;
                            ``(ii) any relevant Federal agency;
                            ``(iii) any relevant United States embassy 
                        or United States consulate; and
                            ``(iv) any other person that the director 
                        of victim support services considers necessary 
                        to carry out the purpose of this section.
    ``(c) Toll-Free Telephone Number.--The Secretary shall establish a 
toll-free telephone number, available 24 hours each day, that an 
applicable passenger described in subsection (a) can call to initiate 
the process under subsection (b)(3)(C).
    ``(d) Support Services.--The director of victim support services 
shall determine the types of support services that an applicable 
passenger described in subsection (a) can obtain, such as--
            ``(1) directions on how to report an incident described in 
        section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i) to appropriate authorities;
            ``(2) an explanation of, or assistance completing, 
        necessary forms to report an incident described in section 
        3523(g)(3)(A)(i);
            ``(3) an explanation of how, or assistance to, obtain 
        support services under this section;
            ``(4) arranging, if appropriate, for mental health and 
        counseling services;
            ``(5) arranging, if possible, for education regarding and 
        advocacy during applicable criminal justice proceedings; and
            ``(6) communicating with that applicable passenger as to 
        the roles of the organization or entities described in 
        subsection (b)(3)(B), government agencies, and the owner of the 
        passenger vessel involved with respect to the incident and the 
        post-incident activities.
    ``(e) Summary of Rights.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2024, the 
Secretary, acting through the Assistant General Counsel and in 
consultation with the Department of Justice, other relevant Federal 
agencies, nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in victim 
assistance, and such other persons that the Secretary considers 
necessary, shall--
            ``(1) determine what rights an applicable passenger 
        described in subsection (a) may have under law, such as the 
        right to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report 
        the crime, the right to contact the director of victim support 
        services, and the right to speak confidentially to Federal law 
        enforcement, the director of victim support services, and any 
        other third-party victim advocate without any representative or 
        employee of the passenger vessel present;
            ``(2) develop a written summary of those rights; and
            ``(3) establish a process for an applicable passenger 
        described in subsection (a) to receive the written summary of 
        rights as soon as practicable after an alleged incident 
        described under section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i).
    ``(f) Guardians and Relatives.--If an applicable passenger 
described in subsection (a) is deceased or is a minor, or under such 
other circumstances that the director of victim support services 
considers necessary, the director may provide support services under 
this section to a guardian or relative of that applicable passenger.
    ``(g) Use of Passenger Vessel Resources.--As appropriate, the 
resources of the passenger vessel shall be used to the greatest extent 
possible to carry out the purpose of this section.
    ``(h) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed as limiting the obligations that an owner of a passenger 
vessel may have in providing assistance to an applicable passenger who 
is an alleged victim of an incident described under section 
3523(g)(3)(A)(i).
    ``(i) Availability of Incident Data Via Internet.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Assistant General Counsel, shall maintain a statistical 
        compilation of all incidents described in section 3523(g)(3)(A) 
        on an internet website that provides a numerical accounting of 
        the missing persons and alleged crimes duly recorded in each 
        report filed under section 3523(g)(3). Each incident described 
        in section 3523(g)(3)(A) shall be included in the statistical 
        compilation irrespective of its investigative status.
            ``(2) Updates.--The Secretary shall ensure that the data 
        described in paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) is updated not less frequently than monthly;
                    ``(B) is aggregated by cruise line;
                    ``(C) identifies each cruise line by name;
                    ``(D) identifies each crime and alleged crime as to 
                whether it was committed or allegedly committed by a 
                passenger or a crew member;
                    ``(E) identifies each crime and alleged crime as to 
                whether it was committed or allegedly committed against 
                a minor;
                    ``(F) identifies the number of alleged individuals 
                overboard; and
                    ``(G) is compiled on the Internet website in a 
                user-friendly format.
            ``(3) Access to website.--Each owner of a passenger vessel 
        shall include a prominently accessible link to the internet 
        website maintained by the Office of Maritime Consumer 
        Protection under paragraph (1) on each Internet website that 
        the owner maintains for prospective applicable passengers to 
        purchase or book passage on the passenger vessel.
    ``(j) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue such regulations as 
are necessary to implement this section.''.
    (b) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Assistant 
General Counsel for the Office of Maritime Consumer Protection and in 
coordination with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating, the Attorney General, and heads of other relevant 
Federal agencies, shall--
            (1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility of having 
        an individual on board each passenger vessel, or certain 
        categories of passenger vessels, to which chapter 161 applies 
        to provide victim support services, including the support 
        services under section 16106(d) of title 46, United States 
        Code, and related safety and security services, which includes 
        consideration of the cost, the benefit to passengers, 
        jurisdiction, and logistics; and
            (2) report the findings of the study conducted under 
        paragraph (1) to Congress.

SEC. 104. CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Title 46 Table of Chapters.--The table of chapters for subtitle 
II is amended by adding at the end the following:

            ``PART L--Office of Maritime Consumer Protection

``161.  Office of Maritime Consumer Protection..............   16101''.
    (b) Table of Sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 161, as added by section 101 of this Act, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``16106. Assistance to victims of crimes on board certain passenger 
                            vessels.''.

             TITLE II--CRUISE VESSEL PASSENGER IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 201. CRUISE VESSEL CHAPTER ORGANIZATION, APPLICATION, AND 
              DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Subchapter Organization.--Chapter 35 is amended--
            (1) by inserting before section 3501 the following:

                 ``Subchapter I--General Provisions'';

            (2) by inserting before section 3507 the following:

                   ``Subchapter II--Cruise Vessels'';

        and
            (3) by redesignating sections 3507, 3508, 3509, and 3510 as 
        sections 3523, 3524, 3525, and 3526, respectively.
    (b) Application.--Chapter 35, as amended by subsection (a), is 
further amended by inserting before section 3523 the following:
``Sec. 3521. Application
    ``(a) In General.--This subchapter applies to a passenger vessel 
that--
            ``(1) is authorized to carry at least 250 passengers;
            ``(2) has onboard sleeping facilities for each passenger; 
        and
            ``(3) is on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers 
        in the United States.
    ``(b) Federal and State Vessels.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
this subchapter does not apply to--
            ``(1) a vessel of the United States operated by the Federal 
        Government; or
            ``(2) a vessel owned and operated by a State.''.
    (c) Definitions.--Chapter 35, as amended by subsections (a) and 
(b), is further amended by inserting after section 3521, as added by 
subsection (b), the following:
``Sec. 3522. Definitions
    ``In this subchapter:
            ``(1) Exterior deck.--The term `exterior deck' means any 
        exterior weather deck on which a passenger may be present, 
        including passenger stateroom balconies, exterior promenades on 
        passenger decks, muster stations, and similar exterior weather 
        deck areas.
            ``(2) Owner.--The term `owner' means the owner, charterer, 
        managing operator, master, or other individual in charge of a 
        vessel.
            ``(3) Applicable passenger.--The term `applicable 
        passenger' means a passenger carried on a passenger vessel who 
        is a citizen of the United States.
            ``(4) Physician.--The term `physician' means a doctor of 
        medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine who--
                    ``(A) has at least 3 years of post-graduate, post-
                registration experience in general and emergency 
                medicine; or
                    ``(B) is certified by the American Board of Medical 
                Specialties, or any other certifying body designated by 
                the Secretary, in emergency medicine, family medicine, 
                or internal medicine.
            ``(5) Qualified medical staff member.--The term `qualified 
        medical staff member' means a medical professional certified in 
        advanced cardiovascular life support and advanced trauma life 
        support training.''.

SEC. 202. CRIME REPORTING AND PUBLIC NOTICE.

    (a) Availability of Log Book and Entries to FBI and Other 
Investigators.--Section 3523(g)(1), as redesignated under section 
201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``in a centralized 
        location readily accessible to law enforcement personnel,''; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``make such log book 
        available'' and inserting ``make available the log book 
        described in subparagraph (A), the Captain's log, the security 
        log, the engine room log, all other logs, and all entries of 
        the log books or logs described in this subparagraph, without 
        regard as to whether the log book, logs, or entries are 
        maintained on board the vessel or at a centralized location off 
        the vessel,''.
    (b) Deadline To Notify Federal Bureau of Investigation Regarding 
Certain Incidents.--Section 3523(g)(3), as redesignated under section 
201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
                    (A) by striking ``shall contact'' and inserting 
                ``subject to subparagraph (C), shall contact''; and
                    (B) by striking ``after the occurrence on board the 
                vessel of an incident involving'' and inserting ``, but 
                not later than 4 hours, after an employee of the vessel 
                is notified of an incident on board the vessel 
                allegedly involving''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``admiralty and 
        maritime jurisdiction of the United States and outside the 
        jurisdiction of any State'' and inserting ``special maritime 
        and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, as defined 
        in section 7 of title 18,''.
    (c) Crime Reporting Guidelines.--Section 3523(g)(1)(A), as 
redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act and amended by 
subsection (a), is further amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking the comma at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``, and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (3) in clause (iii), by striking the comma at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
                            ``(iv) any other criminal offenses reported 
                        to the Federal Bureau of Investigation through 
                        the Uniform Crime Reporting Program,''.
    (d) Reports Before Departure.--Section 3523(g)(3), as redesignated 
under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
                    ``(C) Reports before departure.--If an employee of 
                a vessel to which this subchapter applies is notified 
                of an incident under subparagraph (A)(i) while the 
                vessel is within the special maritime and territorial 
                jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in 
                section 7 of title 18, and en route to a United States 
                port or at a United States port, the owner of the 
                vessel (or the owner's designee) shall contact the 
                nearest Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Office or 
                Legal Attache not later than the time specified under 
                subparagraph (A)(i) or before the vessel departs port, 
                whichever is earlier.''.
    (e) Reports to United States Consulates.--Section 3523(g)(3), as 
amended by subsection (d), is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:
                    ``(D) Reports to united states consulates.--If an 
                incident described in subparagraph (A)(i) allegedly 
                involves an offense by or against a United States 
                national, in addition to contacting the nearest Federal 
                Bureau of Investigation Field Office or Legal Attache 
                under that subparagraph, the owner of a vessel to which 
                this subchapter applies (or the owner's designee) shall 
                contact the United States consulate at the next port of 
                call as soon as possible, but not later than 4 hours 
                after arrival at the port.''.
    (f) Reports to Secretary of Transportation; Incidents and 
Details.--Section 3523(g)(3)(A), as amended by subsection (b), is 
further amended--
            (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``to the Internet website 
        maintained by the Secretary of Transportation under paragraph 
        (4)(A)'' and inserting ``, including the details under 
        paragraph (2), to the Internet website maintained by the 
        Secretary of Transportation under section 16106(i)''; and
            (2) in clause (iii), by striking ``under paragraph (4)(A)'' 
        and inserting ``under section 16106(i)''.
    (g) Availability of Security Guide Via Internet.--Section 
3523(c)(1), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is 
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``a guide (referred to in this 
                subsection as the `security guide')'' and inserting ``a 
                security guide''; and
                    (B) by striking ``English, which'' and inserting 
                ``English, that''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``on the website of 
        the vessel owner'' and inserting ``through a prominently 
        accessible link on each Internet website that the vessel owner 
        maintains for applicable passengers to purchase or book passage 
        on a passenger vessel''.
    (h) Reporting Requirements.--Section 3523, as redesignated under 
section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (k) and (l);
            (2) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections 
        (j) and (k), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
    ``(i) Reporting Requirements.--
            ``(1) Provision to state fusion centers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Any records (including 
                electronic records), information, or written 
                documentation provided to any source under subsection 
                (g) shall also be provided to the State fusion center 
                (as described in section 210A of the Homeland Security 
                Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h)) for the State in which the 
                applicable port described in subparagraph (B) is 
                located.
                    ``(B) Applicable port.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, the applicable port shall be the port from 
                which a vessel originally embarks or the port at which 
                the vessel disembarks, whichever port is nearest when 
                the alleged incident occurs.
            ``(2) Effect on other reporting requirements.-- 
        Requirements under this subsection supplement and do not amend, 
        or serve as a substitute for, the reporting requirements of 
        section 10104 of this title or any other provision of law.''.

SEC. 203. CRIME PREVENTION, DOCUMENTATION, AND RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Maintenance and Placement of Video Surveillance Equipment.--
Section 3523(b)(1)(B), as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this 
Act, is amended--
            (1) in subclause (II) of clause (ii), by striking ``to the 
        maximum extent practicable'';
            (2) by redesignating subclause (IV) of clause (ii) as 
        clause (iii), and adjusting the margins appropriately;
            (3) by inserting after subclause (III) of clause (ii) the 
        following:
                                    ``(IV) incorporate the feedback and 
                                suggestions from the results of the 
                                independent third party risk assessment 
                                to provide optimum surveillance that 
                                complies with the guidance from the 
                                Commandant.''; and
            (4) in clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        striking ``the independent party referred to in paragraph (C)'' 
        and inserting the following: ``Independent third party.--The 
        independent party referred to in clause (ii)(III)''.
    (b) Access to Video Records.--Section 3523(b)(3)(B), as 
redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
        ``Except as proscribed by law enforcement authorities or court 
        order, the'' and inserting ``The''; and
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``of any sexual assault 
        incident''.
    (c) Notice of Video Surveillance.--Section 3523(b)(2), as 
redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is further amended by 
striking ``this section applies'' and inserting ``this subchapter 
applies''.
    (d) Retention Requirements.--Section 3523(b)(4), as redesignated 
under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
        (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins 
        appropriately;
            (2) by striking ``The owner of a vessel to which this 
        section applies'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The owner of a vessel to which 
                this subchapter applies'';
            (3) by striking ``20 days after the footage is obtained'' 
        and inserting ``1 year after completion of the voyage'';
            (4) in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), as redesignated by 
        this subsection, by striking ``4 years'' and inserting ``5 
        years''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Interim standards.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of enactment of the Cruise Passenger 
                Protection Act of 2024, the Commandant, in consultation 
                with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall 
                promulgate interim standards for the retention of 
                records of video surveillance.
                    ``(C) Final standards.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of the Cruise Passenger 
                Protection Act of 2024, the Commandant, in consultation 
                with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall 
                promulgate final standards for the retention of records 
                of video surveillance.
                    ``(D) Considerations.--In promulgating standards 
                under subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Commandant shall--
                            ``(i) consider factors that would aid in 
                        the investigation of serious crimes, including 
                        crimes that go unreported until after the 
                        completion of a voyage;
                            ``(ii) consider the different types of 
                        video surveillance systems and storage 
                        requirements in creating standards both for 
                        vessels currently in operation and for vessels 
                        newly built;
                            ``(iii) consider privacy, including 
                        standards for permissible access to and 
                        monitoring and use of the records of video 
                        surveillance; and
                            ``(iv) consider technological advancements, 
                        including requirements to update technology.''.
    (e) Technology Detecting Passengers Who Have Fallen Overboard 
Requirement.--Section 3523(a)(1)(D), as redesignated under section 
201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended by striking ``or detecting passengers 
who have fallen overboard,'' and inserting ``and detecting passengers 
who have fallen overboard, as certified by an independent third party 
accepted by a classification society that is a member of the 
International Association of Classification Societies or another 
classification society recognized by the Secretary pursuant to section 
3316(b) of this title,''.
    (f) Criminal Activity Prevention and Response Guide.--Section 
3523(c)(1), as amended by section 202(g) of this Act, is further 
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (vi);
                    (B) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) describes the availability of 
                        support services under section 16106, including 
                        any contact information provided by the 
                        Secretary of Transportation or director of 
                        victim support services under that section;
                            ``(iii) includes the summary of rights 
                        under section 16106(e);
                            ``(iv) includes the summary under section 
                        16104(a);
                            ``(v) includes the toll-free hotline 
                        telephone number and consumer complaints 
                        Internet website link under section 
                        16104(b);'';
                    (C) in clause (vi), as redesignated, by inserting 
                ``and'' at the end; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) includes such other information as 
                        the Secretary of Transportation recommends 
                        under section 16106(b)(3)(F);'';
            (2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
                    ``(B) provide a copy of the security guide to--
                            ``(i) the Secretary of Transportation for 
                        review; and
                            ``(ii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
                        for comment;'';
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (4) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
                    ``(C) immediately after the vessel is notified that 
                a passenger is an alleged victim of an incident 
                described under subsection (g)(3)(A)--
                            ``(i) provide the passenger with a copy of 
                        the security guide; and
                            ``(ii) inform the passenger that the 
                        passenger has the right to notify the Federal 
                        Bureau of Investigation that the passenger has 
                        been a victim of a crime on a passenger vessel; 
                        and''.
    (g) Maintenance of Supplies To Prevent Sexually Transmitted 
Diseases.--Section 3523(d)(1), as redesignated by section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is amended by inserting ``(taking into consideration the 
length of the voyage and the number of passengers and crewmembers that 
the vessel can accommodate)'' after ``a sexual assault''.
    (h) Sexual Assault; Contact Information.--Section 3523(d)(5)(A), as 
redesignated by section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended by striking 
``the United States Coast Guard,''.
    (i) Sexual Assault; Private Telephone Line.--Section 3523(d)(5)(B), 
as redesignated by section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended by 
inserting ``under section 16106 or'' after ``the information and 
support services available''.
    (j) Crime Scene Preservation Training.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall--
            (1) promulgate a rule establishing the standards and 
        curricula to allow for the certification of passenger vessel 
        security personnel, crewmembers, and law enforcement officials 
        on the appropriate methods for prevention, detection, evidence 
        preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the 
        international maritime environment, as required under 
        subsection (a) of section 3524 of title 46, United States Code 
        (as redesignated by section 201(a)(3) of this Act); and
            (2) publish the rule and the most recent curricula 
        described in paragraph (1) on the website of the department.
    (k) Crew Access to Passenger Staterooms; Procedures and 
Restrictions.--Section 3523(f)(2), as redesignated by section 201(a)(3) 
of this Act, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) a system that electronically records the 
                date, time, and identity of each crew member accessing 
                each passenger stateroom; and''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) ensure that the procedures and restrictions are--
                    ``(A) fully and properly implemented;
                    ``(B) reviewed annually; and
                    ``(C) updated as necessary.''.
    (l) Requirements for Reporting.--Subsection (i) of section 3523, as 
added by section 202(h) of this Act, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following:
            ``(3) Applicability of requirements.--Any reporting 
        requirement under this section relating to an incident 
        specified in subsection (g)(3)(A)(i) is required without regard 
        as to whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a 
        formal investigation relating to the incident.''.

SEC. 204. PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Vessel Design, Equipment, Construction, and Retrofitting 
Requirements.--Section 3523(a), as redesignated by section 201(a)(3) of 
this Act, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``to which this subsection applies'' and 
                inserting ``to which this subchapter applies'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``The vessel'' and 
                        inserting ``Each exterior deck of a vessel''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting ``unless the height 
                        requirement would interfere with the deployment 
                        of a lifesaving device or other emergency 
                        equipment as identified by the Commandant'' 
                        before the period at the end;
                    (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``entry doors 
                that include peep holes or other means of visual 
                identification.'' and inserting ``an entry door that 
                includes a peep hole or other means of visual 
                identification that provides an unobstructed view of 
                the area outside the stateroom or crew cabin. For 
                purposes of this subparagraph, the addition of an 
                optional privacy cover on the interior side of the 
                entry shall not in and of itself constitute an 
                obstruction.''; and
                    (D) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``when 
                operating in high risk areas (as defined by the United 
                States Coast Guard)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Waivers; record of waivers.--The Secretary--
                    ``(A) may waive a requirement under paragraph (1) 
                as the Secretary determines necessary;
                    ``(B) shall maintain a record of each waiver under 
                subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(C) shall include in such record the 
                justification for the waiver.''.
    (b) Medical Standards.--
            (1) Medical standards.--Section 3525, as redesignated by 
        section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
                paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) there are a sufficient number of qualified medical 
        staff members on the vessel to treat the number of passengers 
        who may be on board the vessel, as determined by regulation by 
        the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and 
        Human Services;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
                ``or any successor standard;'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period and inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) the location and proper use of automated 
                external defibrillators; and
                    ``(D) the proper way to report an incident or to 
                seek security assistance in the event of a medical 
                emergency;''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) if a United States citizen dies on board the vessel 
        and the citizen's next of kin requests that the citizen's body 
        return to the United States on the vessel--
                    ``(A) such request is granted--
                            ``(i) unless--
                                    ``(I) the vessel comes within the 
                                domestic jurisdiction of a country that 
                                requires human remains to be removed 
                                from a vessel or requires human remains 
                                to undergo post-mortem offshore 
                                autopsy; or
                                    ``(II) the vessel is scheduled to 
                                enter the domestic jurisdiction of such 
                                a country as part of the scheduled 
                                voyage; and
                            ``(ii) except that, in cases in which the 
                        vessel is not scheduled to return to a United 
                        States port for 21 or more days after the 
                        citizen's death, arrangements may be made to 
                        return the body on a different appropriate 
                        vessel; and
                    ``(B) the owner of the vessel pays for any 
                transportation costs related to the return;
            ``(6) every crew member on the vessel has received basic 
        life support training and is certified in cardiopulmonary 
        resuscitation; and
            ``(7) every passenger-facing crew member on a vessel 
        leaving from or en route to a United States port of call has a 
        basic understanding of the English language, including--
                    ``(A) at least a `Basic' score on the Test of 
                English as a Foreign Language for both listening and 
                speaking;
                    ``(B) at least a `4 Skill Level' score on the 
                International English Language Testing System for both 
                listening and speaking; or
                    ``(C) at least a basic level of proficiency for 
                listening and speaking on another test of the English 
                Language designated by the Secretary.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 205. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Penalties for Violation of Passenger Vessel Security and Safety 
Requirements.--Section 3523(h)(1)(A), as redesignated by section 
201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended by striking ``, except that'' and all 
that follows through ``$50,000''.
    (b) Information Sharing.--Subchapter II of chapter 35, as amended 
by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 3527. Information sharing
    ``(a) In General.--To the extent not prohibited by other law, the 
head of a designated agency shall make available to another head of a 
designated agency any information necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this subchapter. The provision by the head of a designated agency of 
any information under this section to another head of a designated 
agency shall not constitute a waiver of, or otherwise effect, any 
privilege any agency or person may claim with respect to that 
information under Federal or State law.
    ``(b) Definition of Head of a Designated Agency.--In this section, 
the term `head of a designated agency' means the Secretary of 
Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Attorney 
General.''.
    (c) Enforcement.--Subchapter II of chapter 35, as amended by this 
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 3528. Refusal of clearance; denial of entry
    ``(a) Clearance.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may withhold 
or revoke the clearance required under section 60105 of any vessel of 
the owner of a vessel to which this subchapter applies, wherever the 
vessel is found, if the owner of the vessel--
            ``(1) commits an act or omission for which a penalty may be 
        imposed under this subchapter or chapter 161; or
            ``(2) fails to pay a penalty imposed on the owner under 
        this subchapter or chapter 161.
    ``(b) Denial of Entry.--The Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating may deny entry into the United States to a 
vessel to which this subchapter applies if it is made aware by the 
Secretary of the Department of Transportation or the Attorney General 
that the owner of the vessel--
            ``(1) commits an act or omission for which a penalty may be 
        imposed under this subchapter or chapter 161; or
            ``(2) fails to pay a penalty imposed on the owner under 
        this subchapter or chapter 161.''.

SEC. 206. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Application.--Chapter 35, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended--
            (1) in section 3523, by striking ``to which this section 
        applies'' each place such phrase appears and inserting ``to 
        which this subchapter applies'';
            (2) in section 3524, by striking ``to which this section 
        applies'' each place such phrase appears and inserting ``to 
        which this subchapter applies'';
            (3) in section 3525, by striking ``to which section 3507 
        applies'' and inserting ``to which this subchapter applies''; 
        and
            (4) in section 3526--
                    (A) by striking ``to which section 3507 applies'' 
                and inserting ``to which this subchapter applies'';
                    (B) by striking ``(a) Automated External 
                Defibrillators.--''; and
                    (C) by striking subsection (b).
    (b) Availability of Incident Data Via Internet.--Section 3523(g), 
as redesignated under section 201(a)(3) of this Act, is amended by 
striking paragraph (4).
    (c) Reporting Requirements.--Section 8440(c)(2) of the William M. 
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 is amended 
by striking ``3507 of title 46, United States Code'' and inserting 
``3523 of title 46, United States Code (designated as section 3507 of 
such title before the date of enactment of the Cruise Passenger 
Protection Act of 2024),''.
    (d) Table of Contents.--The table of sections for chapter 35 is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting before the item relating to section 3501 
        the following:

                  ``subchapter i-general provisions'';

            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 3506 
        the following:

                   ``subchapter ii-cruise vessels'';

        and
            (3) by striking the items relating to sections 3507, 3508, 
        3509, and 3510 and inserting the following:

``3521. Application.
``3522. Definitions.
``3523. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements.
``3524. Crime scene preservation training for passenger vessel 
                            crewmembers.
``3525. Medical standards.
``3526. Additional medical and safety standards.
``3527. Information sharing.
``3528. Refusal of clearance; denial of entry.''.

SEC. 207. LIMITATIONS IN CERTAIN CASES.

    (a) In General.--Section 30307 is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``Commercial 
        aviation accidents'' and inserting ``Limitations in certain 
        cases'';
            (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions 
apply:
            ``(1) Cruise ship.--The term `cruise ship' means a 
        passenger vessel, other than a vessel of the United States 
        operated by the Federal Government or a vessel owned and 
        operated by a State, that--
                    ``(A) is authorized to carry at least 250 
                passengers;
                    ``(B) has onboard sleeping facilities for each 
                passenger; and
                    ``(C) is on a voyage that embarks or disembarks 
                passengers in the United States.
            ``(2) Nonpecuniary damages.--The term `nonpecuniary 
        damages' means damages for pre-death pain and suffering and for 
        loss of care, comfort, and companionship.'';
            (3) in subsection (b), by inserting ``, or cruise ship 
        voyage,'' after ``commercial aviation accident''; and
            (4) in subsection (c), by inserting ``, or cruise ship 
        voyage,'' after ``commercial aviation accident''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 303 is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 30307 and inserting 
the following:

``30307. Limitations in certain cases.''.
                                 <all>