Us Congress Senate Bill SB1058

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/23
• Refer: 3/29/23

Caption

Protection from Abusive Passengers Act

Impact

The enactment of SB1058 would introduce civil penalties for individuals engaging in behavior deemed abusive on flights, ranging from serious threats against crew members to tampering with safety protocols. The bill mandates that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintain a list of banned fliers and outlines the specific policies and procedures necessary for managing individuals included on this list. This is expected to make flying safer, providing a clear response protocol for airlines when dealing with disruptive passengers.

Summary

SB1058, the Protection from Abusive Passengers Act, is designed to enhance the safety and security of airline operations by addressing the issue of abusive passengers. The bill proposes a framework for banning individuals who demonstrate threatening or disruptive behavior on commercial flights, which has become increasingly relevant given the rise in reported incidents of such behavior. By creating a defined list of 'abusive passengers,' this legislation aims to protect not only the airline crew and security personnel but also the passengers themselves from threats posed by unruly individuals on flights.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB1058 focuses on privacy and the implications of maintaining a public list of banned fliers. Critics may argue that such a list could lead to misuse or wrongful placement of individuals, resulting in individuals being banned without due process or the opportunity to contest their inclusion. Furthermore, concerns have been raised around the potential for racial or ethnic disparity in the enforcement of policies related to removing names from the list, as audits and reviews are mandated to ensure fairness in the process.