Sec. 544. MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND EMPOWER ALL
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## SEC. 544 MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND EMPOWER ALL **[**[49 U.S.C. 41728 note](/us/usc/t49/s41728)**]** ###
(a)Publication of Cargo Hold Dimensions ####
(1)In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall require air carriers to publish in a prominent and easily accessible place on the public website of the air carrier, information describing the relevant dimensions and other characteristics of the cargo holds of all aircraft types operated by the air carrier, including the dimensions of the cargo hold entry, that would limit the size, weight, and allowable type of cargo. ####
(2)Proprietary information The Secretary shall allow an air carrier to protect the confidentiality of any trade secret or proprietary information submitted in accordance with paragraph (1), as appropriate. ###
(b)Refund Required for Individual Traveling With Wheelchair In the case of a qualified individual with a disability traveling with a wheelchair who has purchased a ticket for a flight from an air carrier, but who cannot travel on the aircraft for such flight because the wheelchair of such qualified individual cannot be physically accommodated in the cargo hold of the aircraft, the Secretary shall require such air carrier to offer a refund to such qualified individual of any previously paid fares, fees, and taxes applicable to such flight. ###
(c)Evaluation of Data Regarding Damaged Wheelchairs Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall— ####
(1)evaluate data regarding the type and frequency of incidents of the mishandling of wheelchairs on aircraft and delineate such data by— #####
(A)types of wheelchairs involved in such incidents; and #####
(B)the ways in which wheelchairs are mishandled, including the type of damage to wheelchairs (such as broken drive wheels or casters, bent or broken frames, damage to electrical connectors or wires, control input devices, joysticks, upholstery or other components, loss, or delay of return); ####
(2)determine whether there are trends with respect to the data evaluated under paragraph (1); and ####
(3)make available on the public website of the Department of Transportation, in an accessible manner, a report containing the results of the evaluation of data and determination made under paragraphs
(1)and
(2)and a description of how the Secretary plans to address such results. ###
(d)Report to Congress on Mishandled Wheelchairs Upon completion of each annual report required under subsection (c), the Secretary shall transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress such report. ###
(e)Feasibility of In-Cabin Wheelchair Restraint Systems ####
(1)Roadmap Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a publicly available strategic roadmap that describes how the Department of Transportation and the United States Access Board, respectively, shall, in accordance with the recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Transportation Research Board Special Report 341— #####
(A)establish a program of research, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, the assistive technology industry, air carriers, original equipment manufacturers, national disability and disabled veterans organizations, and any other relevant stakeholders, to test and evaluate an appropriate selection of WC19-compliant wheelchairs and accessories in accordance with applicable FAA crashworthiness and safety performance criteria, including the issues and considerations set forth in such Special Report 341; and #####
(B)sponsor studies that assess issues and considerations, including those set forth in such Special Report 341, such as— ######
(i)the likely demand for air travel by individuals who are nonambulatory if such individuals could remain seated in their personal wheelchairs in flight; and ######
(ii)the feasibility of implementing seating arrangements that would accommodate passengers in wheelchairs in the main cabin in flight. ####
(2)Study If determined to be technically feasible by the Secretary, not later than 2 years after making such determination, the Secretary shall commence a study to assess the economic and financial feasibility of air carriers and foreign air carriers implementing seating arrangements that accommodate passengers with wheelchairs in the main cabin during flight. Such study shall include an assessment of— #####
(A)the cost of such seating arrangements, equipment, and installation; #####
(B)the demand for such seating arrangements; #####
(C)the impact of such seating arrangements on passenger seating and safety on aircraft; #####
(D)the impact of such seating arrangements on the cost of operations and airfare; and #####
(E)any other information determined appropriate by the Secretary. ####
(3)Report Not later than 1 year after the date on which the study under paragraph
(2)is completed, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a publicly available report describing the results of the study conducted under paragraph
(2)and any recommendations the Secretary determines appropriate. ###
(f)Definitions In this section: ####
(1)Air carrier The term “air carrier” has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code. ####
(2)Disability; qualified individual with a disability The terms “disability” and “qualified individual with a disability” have the meanings given such terms in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on date of enactment of this Act). ####
(3)Wheelchair The term “wheelchair” has the meaning given such term in section 37.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on date of enactment of this Act), and includes power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and scooters.
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Sec. 544
MOBILITY AIDS ON BOARD IMPROVE LIVES AND EMPOWER ALL
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