10 U.S.C. § 1561b: Confidential reporting of sexual harassment

Notwithstanding section 1561 of this title , the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy shall prescribe in regulations a process by which a member of an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department or the Commandant may confidentially allege a complaint of sexual harassment to an individual outside the immediate chain of command of the member. maintain the confidentiality of the member alleging the complaint; The manner in which to file a complaint concerning alleged sexual harassment with the official or office designated for receipt of such complaint through such avenue of redress. That confidentiality in connection with the complaint cannot be maintained when there is a clear and present risk to health or safety. the manner in which to file a confidential report with a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate; and options available pursuant to such reporting, including a Restricted Report or Unrestricted Report, and participation in the Catch a Serial Offender Program. The services and assistance available to the member in connection with the complaint and the alleged sexual harassment. educate members under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries of the military departments or the Commandant departments regarding the process established under this section; and track complaints alleged pursuant to the process. Not later than April 30, 2023 , and April 30 every two years thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing data on the complaints of sexual harassment alleged pursuant to the process under subsection (a) during the previous two calendar years. Any data on such complaints shall not contain any personally identifiable information. Not later than April 30, 2026 , and April 30 every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing data on the complaints of sexual harassment alleged pursuant to the process under subsection (a) during the previous 2 calendar years. Any data on complaints described in paragraph (1) shall not contain any personally identifiable information.