HR 2957 IH

107th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2957

To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement a criminal background check program for pilot and flight service training applicants, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 25, 2001

Mr. CASTLE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

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A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement a criminal background check program for pilot and flight service training applicants, and for other purposes.

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 `Secure Aviation Employment and Training Enhancement Act of 2001'.

SEC. 2. REQUIRING CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PILOT AND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TRAINING APPLICANTS.

Section 44707 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by inserting `(a) IN GENERAL- ' before `The Administrator'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(b) BACKGROUND CHECK PROGRAM FOR PILOT AND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TRAINING APPLICANTS-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall implement a criminal background check program for individuals enrolled or to be enrolled in civilian schools giving instruction described in subsection (a)(1).

`(2) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS- Under the program, the Administrator shall--

`(A) establish and provide a standard application form to be used by all civilian schools giving instruction described in subsection (a)(1);

`(B) maintain a database of all processed applications for such schools;

`(C) require that any applicant to such a school must fill out the standard application form and undergo a criminal background check; and

`(D) if the background check reveals evidence of criminal, espionage, or terrorist activity or any other evidence that the Administrator determines, by regulation, to be a security threat, the Administrator shall establish procedures to ensure the applicant does not receive training at such school.

`(3) FEES AND CHARGES- The Administrator shall establish reasonable fees and charges to pay expenses incurred in carrying out this section. Such fees and charges may not exceed $100 per individual. Money collected under this subsection shall be credited to the account in the Treasury from which expenses were incurred and are available to the Administrator for those expenses.

`(4) CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK DEFINED- In this subsection, the term `criminal background check', commonly known as an indices check, means a review of information provided by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding personal background, including information relating to any history of criminal activity or to any evidence of espionage or terrorism .'.

SEC. 3. REVIEW OF CURRENT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK PROCEDURES FOR ALL AIRLINE EMPLOYEES.

(a) REVIEW- The Director of the Office of Homeland Security shall conduct a review of the current air carrier employee criminal background check procedures.

(b) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the review, including an analysis of current procedures and any details and recommendations that the Director may have concerning improving such procedures.

SEC. 4. FUNDING.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, including the amendments made by this Act.

SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORT.

The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an annual report on the activities carried out under this Act.