Bill · H.R. 4857· House(119-HR-4857)
Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 8/1/2025
- Last activity
- 8/2/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Doris Matsui
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025 aims to improve the security and safety of passenger vessel travelers. It establishes the Office of Maritime Consumer Protection within the Department of Transportation to handle consumer complaints and enforcement. The bill implements standards for passage contracts to ensure key terms are clearly communicated to passengers. It also provides for assistance to victims of crimes committed on board certain vessels. Additionally, the act introduces new requirements for crime reporting, video surveillance, and medical standards.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
The bill establishes an Office of Maritime Consumer Protection to handle complaints and mandates clear disclosure of key contract terms.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill requires the Secretary to maintain and update statistical compilations of consumer complaints and crime incidents on a public website.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+5
The bill requires clear summaries of key terms in passage contracts to prevent undisclosed costs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Consumer Clarity: The bill requires vessel owners to provide a summary of key terms in passage contracts, such as undisclosed costs or limitations on liability, before they become binding (Section 16104(a)(1)).
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Enhanced Victim Support: A Director of Victim Support Services will be established to provide a primary point of contact and facilitate access to support services, such as mental health and counseling (Section 16106(b)(3) and (d)).
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Increased Accountability for Complaints: The Secretary will maintain a statistical compilation of consumer complaints on a website, updated at least monthly, which includes the name of each covered passenger vessel (Section 16104(b)(2)).
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Protection of Legal Rights: The bill invalidates pre-dispute arbitration and class action waiver clauses in certain contracts, ensuring that parties can consent to arbitration after a controversy arises (Section 16105(b) and (c)).
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Victim Information Access: The act mandates that passengers receive a written summary of their rights and a process to obtain information regarding the status of criminal investigations (Section 16106(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Penalties for Violations: Vessel owners may face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day for violations of consumer service standards, or criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for willful violations (Section 16104(c)).
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Restrictions on Vessel Entry: The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to withhold or revoke vessel clearance, and the Secretary of Transportation may deny entry to vessels that fail to pay penalties (Section 3528).
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Mandatory Costs for Deceased Passengers: While the bill allows for the return of a deceased U.S. citizen's body to the United States, the owner of the vessel is responsible for paying all related transportation costs (Section 3525(a)(5)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Retirees+4Good For Women+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2
- 9/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/2/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 8/1/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California