S. 3665

119 S3665 IS: Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-01-15
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 3665  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   January 15, 2026   Ms. Duckworth  (for herself and  Mr. Hoeven ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation    A BILL
To prosecute, as a Federal crime, the assault or intimidation of a passenger train crew member in a manner consistent with the prosecution of assault or intimidation of an aircraft crew member.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act  .
2.
Interference with passenger train crew members
(a)
In general
 Chapter 281  of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
28104.
Interference with passenger train crew members
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Crew member
The term  crew member  means any of the following employees:
(A)
An engineer.
(B)
A conductor.
(C)
Onboard personnel.
(D)
An employee performing, or responsible for, a safety-sensitive function.
(E)
An employee performing, or responsible for, any operation, function, or customer service at an intercity rail station or commuter rail station.
(2)
Dangerous weapon
(A)
In general
The term  dangerous weapon  means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or animate or inanimate substance that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury.
(B)
Inclusion
The term  dangerous weapon  includes—
(i)
a pocket knife with a blade that is less than 2 1/2  inches in length; and
(ii)
a box cutter.
(3)
Passenger train
The term  passenger train  means a passenger train in intercity rail passenger transportation (as defined in section 24102) or commuter rail passenger transportation (as defined in section 24102).
(4)
Serious bodily injury
The term  serious bodily injury  means a bodily injury that involves—
(A)
a substantial risk of death;
(B)
extreme physical pain;
(C)
protracted and obvious disfigurement; or
(D)
protracted loss or impairment of the function of—
(i)
a bodily member;
(ii)
an organ; or
(iii)
a mental facility.
(b)
Offense
It shall be unlawful for any person onboard a passenger train in operation, on a platform serving a passenger train in operation, or in a rail station—
(1)
to assault or intimidate a crew member and thereby interfere with the performance of the duties of a crew member or lessen the ability of a crew member to perform those duties; or
(2)
to attempt or conspire to perform an act described in paragraph (1).
(c)
Penalties
A person who violates subsection (b)—
(1)
shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 8 years, or both; and
(2)
if a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting or intimidating the crew member, shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years.
 .
(b)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections for  chapter 281  of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
§ 28104. Interference with passenger train crew members.
  .