Sec. 713. Prioritizing accountability and accessibility for aviation consumers
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Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Transportation shall provide a report on disability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with the Department of Transportation as a part of the Air Travel Consumer Report produced by the Department. In each report required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall include, at minimum, a description of the following: The number of disability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with the Department of Transportation during the calendar year preceding the year in which such report is submitted.
The nature of such complaints, such as reported issues with— an air carrier; mishandling of passengers with a disability, including mishandling of a wheelchair, mobility aid, or other accessibility equipment of a passenger by an air carrier; the condition or availability of accessibility equipment or materials operated by an air carrier; the accessibility of in-flight services, including accessing and utilizing onboard lavatories, for passengers with a disability; difficulties experienced by passengers with a disability in communicating with an air carrier employee; difficulties experienced by passengers with a disability in being moved, handled, or otherwise assisted; an air carrier changing the flight itinerary of a passenger with a disability without the consent of such passenger; difficulties experienced by passengers with a disability traveling with a service animal; and any other issues the Secretary of Transportation determines appropriate.
The review process for such complaints. The average amount of days before the Department initiated a formal review of such complaints. The average amount of days until such complaints were resolved by the Department. The number of such complaints that resulted in dismissal, a civil monetary penalty, or other injunctive relief. Of the complaints that were found to violate section 41705 of title 49, United States Code— the number of such complaints for which a formal enforcement order was issued; and the number of such complaints for which a formal enforcement order was not issued.
The number of disability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with the Department of Transportation involving airport staff or other matters under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration that were referred to the Federal Aviation Administration. The number of disability-related aviation consumer complaints filed with the Department of Transportation involving Transportation Security Administration staff that were referred to the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security.
The Secretary shall submit annually to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the report required under subsection (a). In this section: Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in this section have the meanings given such terms in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code, or section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as applicable. The term air carrier means an air carrier conducting passenger operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
The term passenger with a disability has the meaning given the term qualified individual with a disability in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.