14 U.S.C. § 2535 — Safe-to-Report policy for Coast Guard

(a) Within 90 days after enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Commandant^*, consulting the military-department Secretaries, must establish and maintain a detailed public written safe-to-report policy. It applies to all Coast Guard members, including reserve and auxiliary members, Coast Guard Academy cadets, and anyone training at a Coast Guard accession point.

(b) The policy must: (1) prescribe how to handle minor collateral misconduct involving a Coast Guard member who is the alleged victim or reporting witness of sexual assault; and (2) apply regardless of who receives the allegation or report and regardless of whether military or civilian authorities handle the report, investigation, or prosecution.

(c) The Commandant must state circumstances that reduce the seriousness of minor collateral misconduct or its effect on good order and discipline, and circumstances that increase them.

(d) Along with issuing the policy, the Commandant must create a process to track covered incidents anonymously.

(e) “Minor collateral misconduct” means minor misconduct potentially punishable under chapter 47 of title 10 that: (1) happens close in time to or during a sexual assault and directly relates to the incident underlying the allegation; (2) is discovered directly because of the report or ensuing investigation; and (3) does not involve aggravating circumstances identified in the policy.