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
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:
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 21/2 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: