§1155. Security awareness program
(a) Establishment
The Administrator shall establish a program to promote surface transportation security through the training of surface transportation operators and frontline employees on each of the skills identified in subsection (c).
(b) Application
The program established under subsection (a) shall apply to all modes of surface transportation, including public transportation, rail, highway, motor carrier, and pipeline.
(c) Training
The program established under subsection (a) shall cover, at a minimum, the skills necessary to recognize, assess, and respond to suspicious items or actions that could indicate a threat to transportation.
(d) Assessment
(1) In general
The Administrator shall conduct an assessment of current training programs for surface transportation operators and frontline employees.
(2) Contents
The assessment shall identify-
(A) whether other training is being provided, either voluntarily or in response to other Federal requirements; and
(B) whether there are any gaps in existing training.
(e) Updates
The Administrator shall ensure the program established under subsection (a) is updated as necessary to address changes in risk and terrorist methods and to close any gaps identified in the assessment under subsection (d).
(f) Suspicious activity reporting
(1) In general
The Secretary shall maintain a national telephone number for an individual to use to report suspicious activity under this section to the Administration.
(2) Procedures
The Administrator shall establish procedures for the Administration-
(A) to review and follow-up, as necessary, on each report received under paragraph (1); and
(B) to share, as necessary and in accordance with law, the report with appropriate Federal, State, local, and tribal entities.
(3) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section may be construed to-
(A) replace or affect in any way the use of 9–1–1 services in an emergency; or
(B) replace or affect in any way the security training program requirements specified in sections 1137, 1167, and 1184 of this title.
(g) Definition of frontline employee
In this section, the term "frontline employee" includes-
(1) an employee of a public transportation agency who is a transit vehicle driver or operator, dispatcher, maintenance and maintenance support employee, station attendant, customer service employee, security employee, or transit police, or any other employee who has direct contact with riders on a regular basis, and any other employee of a public transportation agency that the Administrator determines should receive security training under this section or that is receiving security training under other law;
(2) over-the-road bus drivers, security personnel, dispatchers, maintenance and maintenance support personnel, ticket agents, other terminal employees, and other employees of an over-the-road bus operator or terminal owner or operator that the Administrator determines should receive security training under this section or that is receiving security training under other law; or
(3) security personnel, dispatchers, locomotive engineers, conductors, trainmen, other onboard employees, maintenance and maintenance support personnel, bridge tenders, and any other employees of railroad carriers that the Administrator determines should receive security training under this section or that is receiving security training under other law.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the TSA Modernization Act and also as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Definitions
For definitions of "Administrator" and "Secretary" as used in this section, see section 1902 of