S. 316 · 117th Congress · Senate

Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2021

Active· Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 207.
Introduced
Feb 12, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Passed House
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2021

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a 180-day pilot program to conduct temperature checks for domestic and international passengers, individuals accompanying those passengers, crew members, and other individuals who pass through airport security screening locations at which screening is conducted by the TSA.

In developing the pilot program, the TSA must address certain policies and procedures, including (1) types and costs of technology that may be used to conduct temperature checks, (2) mechanisms to protect the privacy and medical information of individuals subjected to temperature checks, and (3) exempting individuals who may have a fever unrelated to COVID-19.

The pilot program must ensure airlines allow passengers who are prohibited from flying due to a fever or a secondary medical screening to reschedule, request a voucher, or cancel a flight at no cost.

The TSA must design, test, and implement a passenger notification system for alerting passengers of temperature checks under the pilot program that includes (1) a message discouraging any individual who has a fever from traveling in air transportation; and (2) a notification that each passenger and any individual accompanying a passenger into the sterile area of the airport will undergo a temperature check, subject to a secondary medical screening, if the pilot program established under this bill is in effect in that airport.

Previous Versions

00Feb 12, 2021

Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2021

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a 120-day pilot program to conduct temperature checks for domestic and international passengers, individuals accompanying those passengers, crew members, and other individuals who pass through airports and airport security screening locations.

In developing the pilot program, the TSA must address certain policies and procedures, including (1) accommodating individuals with disabilities or observing certain religious practices, and (2) exempting individuals who may have a fever unrelated to COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019).

The pilot program must ensure airlines allow passengers who are prohibited from flying due to a fever or a secondary medical screening to reschedule or cancel a flight at no cost.

The TSA must, within 90 days after the completion of the pilot program, create a policy for deploying a temperature check program at airports and airport security screening locations through the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Department of Transportation must revise its regulations to require the inclusion of certain information about traveling in the passenger notification system during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including (1) a message discouraging any individual who has a fever from traveling in air transportation, and (2) a notification that each passenger and any individual accompanying a passenger into the sterile area of the airport will undergo a temperature check if the pilot program established under this bill is in effect in that airport.

Action Timeline

6
  1. DEC 17, 2021Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  2. DEC 17, 2021Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  3. DEC 17, 2021Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 207.

  4. MAY 12, 2021Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  5. FEB 12, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in Senate

  6. FEB 12, 2021IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committees

3

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: Dec 17, 2021

Active

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: May 12, 2021

Active

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: Feb 12, 2021

Active