[119th Congress Public Law 110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 140 STAT. 1023]]
Public Law 119-110
119th Congress
An Act
To address sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons
staff in prisons, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Sept. 16, 2026 - [S.
307]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Prison Staff
Safety Enhancement Act.>>
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 18 USC 4042 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Prison Staff Safety Enhancement
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2023, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Justice released a report titled ``Evaluation of
the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Efforts to Address Sexual
Harassment and Sexual Assault Committed by Inmates Toward
Staff'' (in this section referred to as the ``Inspector General
report'').
(2) The Inspector General report examined all sanctioned
inmate sexual incidents in the Bureau of Prisons (in this
section referred to as the ``Bureau'') between fiscal years 2015
and 2021, and found that inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and
sexual assault is widespread.
(3) The Inspector General report further found that the
Bureau does not collect adequate data on inmate-on-staff sexual
harassment and sexual assault and that, because of the Bureau's
inadequate data, the Bureau has not been able to identify the
full scope of inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and sexual
assault.
(4) The Inspector General report further found that the
Bureau does not have systems to evaluate the effectiveness of
the Bureau's strategies to mitigate inmate-on-staff sexual
harassment and sexual assault.
(5) The Inspector General report made recommendations to the
Bureau to address the failures in the Bureau's data collection
and mitigation efforts, but the Bureau has not implemented these
recommendations.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> ADDRESSING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND
SEXUAL ASSAULT OF BUREAU OF PRISONS STAFF.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of
Prisons.
[[Page 140 STAT. 1024]]
(2) Correctional officer.--The term ``correctional officer''
has the meaning given the term in section 4051 of title 18,
United States Code.
(3) Inspector general.--The term ``Inspector General'' means
the Inspector General of the Department of Justice.
(4) Incarcerated individual.--The term ``incarcerated
individual'' has the meaning given the term ``prisoner'' in
section 4051 of title 18, United States Code.
(5) Sexual assault.--The term ``sexual assault'' means an
act described in subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 920 of
title 10, United States Code.
(6) Sexual harassment.--The term ``sexual harassment'' means
unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that explicitly or
implicitly affect an individual's employment, unreasonably
interfere with an individual's work performance, or create an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
(b) Implementation of Recommendations by Bureau.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall fully implement each
recommendation in the report released by the Inspector General
in 2023 titled ``Evaluation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons'
Efforts to Address Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
Committed by Inmates Toward Staff''.
(2) <<NOTE: Timeline.>> Report.--If the Bureau has not fully
implemented each recommendation referenced in paragraph (1) by
the deadline under that paragraph, the Bureau shall submit a
report to Congress by that deadline that includes an explanation
of the failure to fully implement each recommendation and a
detailed timeline for full implementation.
(c) <<NOTE: Time periods.>> Data Analysis by Inspector General.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date as of
which the Bureau has fully implemented each recommendation
referenced in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) <<NOTE: Update.>> the Inspector General shall
request from the Bureau, and the Bureau shall provide,
updated data on the number and prevalence of sexual
harassment and sexual assault incidents perpetrated by
incarcerated individuals against a correctional officer
or other employee of the Bureau during fiscal years 2022
through 2025;
(B) the Inspector General shall conduct an analysis
of the data described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>> the Inspector
General shall provide Congress and the Attorney General
with the analysis conducted under subparagraph (B) and
any additional recommendations, including analysis of
whether the Bureau has taken sufficient steps to
identify the prevalence and scope of sexual harassment
and sexual assault incidents perpetrated by incarcerated
individuals against a correctional officer or other
employee of the Bureau and to mitigate such incidents.
(2) Analysis of punishments.--The analysis required under
paragraph (1)(C) shall include an analysis of punishments for
sexual harassment and sexual assault as of the date of enactment
of this Act in facilities controlled by the
[[Page 140 STAT. 1025]]
Bureau of Prisons, including data on the use of such punishments
during the 5-year period preceding the date of enactment of this
Act.
(d) Rulemaking by Attorney General.--Not later than 1 year after
receiving the analysis under subsection (c), the Attorney General shall
promulgate a rule adopting national standards for prevention, reduction,
and punishment of sexual harassment and sexual assault perpetrated by an
incarcerated individual against a correctional officer or other employee
of the Bureau.
Approved September 16, 2026.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 307:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 171 (2025):
Apr. 29, considered and passed
Senate.
Vol. 172 (2026):
Aug. 31, considered and passed
House.
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