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
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.
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:
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: