Sec. 21015. Public transportation safety program
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/bill/114/hr/22/eas/section-21015A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Section 5329 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— in subsection (b)(2)— in subparagraph (C), by striking and at the end; by redesignating subparagraph
(D)as subparagraph (E); and by inserting after subparagraph
(C)the following: minimum safety standards to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems that— are not related to performance standards for public transportation vehicles developed under subparagraph (C); and to the extent practicable, take into consideration— relevant recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board; best practices standards developed by the public transportation industry; any minimum safety standards or performance criteria being implemented across the public transportation industry; and any additional information that the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate; and ; in subsection (f)(2), by inserting after public transportation system of a recipient the following: or the public transportation industry generally ; and in subsection (g)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking an eligible State, as defined in subsection (e), and inserting a recipient . Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall commence a review of the safety standards and protocols used in rail fixed guideway public transportation systems in the United States that examines the efficacy of existing standards and protocols. In conducting the review under this paragraph, the Secretary shall review— minimum safety performance standards developed by the public transportation industry; safety performance standards, practices, or protocols in use by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, including— written emergency plans and procedures for passenger evacuations; training programs to ensure public transportation personnel compliance and readiness in emergency situations; coordination plans with local emergency responders having jurisdiction over a rail fixed guideway public transportation system, including— emergency preparedness training, drills, and familiarization programs for those first responders; and the scheduling of regular field exercises to ensure appropriate response and effective radio and public safety communications; maintenance, testing, and inspection programs to ensure the proper functioning of— tunnel, station, and vehicle ventilation systems; signal and train control systems, track, mechanical systems, and other infrastructure; and other systems as necessary; certification requirements for train and bus operators and control center employees; consensus-based standards, practices, or protocols available to the public transportation industry; and any other standards, practices, or protocols the Secretary determines appropriate; and vehicle safety standards, practices, or protocols in use by public transportation systems, concerning— bus design and the workstation of bus operators, as it relates to— the reduction of blindspots that contribute to accidents involving pedestrians; and protecting bus operators from the risk of assault; and scheduling fixed route bus service with adequate time and access for operators to use restroom facilities. After conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, in consultation with representatives of the public transportation industry, evaluate the need to establish Federal minimum public transportation safety standards, including— standards governing worker safety; standards for the operation of signals, track, on-track equipment, mechanical systems, and control systems; and any other areas the Secretary, in consultation with the public transportation industry, determines require further evaluation. Upon completing the review and evaluation required under paragraphs
(1)and (2), respectively, and not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the of House of Representatives a report that includes— findings based on the review conducted under paragraph (1); the outcome of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (2); a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the safety of the public transportation industry, including recommendations for legislative changes where applicable; and actions that the Secretary will take to address the recommendations provided under subparagraph (C), including, if necessary, the establishment of Federal minimum public transportation safety standards.