Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act

Laura Gillen

Democrat · NY · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Jefferson Van Drew (D-NJ-2)Original· 2026-05-19

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-05-19

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would make it a federal crime to assault or intimidate train crew members, giving them the same legal protections that airplane crew members currently have under federal law. Train workers like conductors and engineers would be able to report attacks to federal authorities who could prosecute offenders, rather than relying only on state and local laws. This change aims to protect transportation workers from violence and intimidation while doing their jobs.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8894 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8894 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. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 19, 2026 Ms. Gillen (for herself and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ 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. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act''. SEC. 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: ``Sec. 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 a function at a rail station in service of a passenger train, including with respect to ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, or boarding. ``(2) Dangerous weapon.--The term `dangerous weapon' has the meaning given such term in section 1992(d) of title 18. ``(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' has the meaning given such term in section 1365(h) of title 18. ``(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 that serves passenger trains-- ``(1) to assault 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.-- ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both. ``(2) Aggravated penalties.--If a person violates subsection (b)-- ``(A) by striking, beating, or wounding, the maximum term of imprisonment under paragraph (1) shall be 1 year; ``(B) with intent to commit any crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment, except murder, the maximum term of imprisonment under paragraph (1) shall be 10 years; ``(C) with a dangerous weapon or with intent to cause bodily harm, the maximum term of imprisonment under paragraph (1) shall be 10 years; ``(D) and the violation results in serious bodily injury, the maximum term of imprisonment under paragraph (1) shall be 10 years; or ``(E) with intent to commit murder, the maximum term of imprisonment under paragraph (1) shall be 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: ``Sec. 28104. Interference with passenger train crew members.''. <all>

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