Today, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Debbie Lesko’s bipartisan bill, H.R. 3694, the Helping Families Fly Act of 2019, which improves the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening experience for pregnant women and young families at our nation’s airports. Congresswoman Lesko (R-AZ), top Republican of the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, released the following statement.

“For pregnant women and families with young children, airport travel can be a stressful and time-consuming task. Thankfully, my bipartisan legislation will help make the airport experience for women and families quicker and easier while keeping our nation safe. I am grateful for my colleagues’ support today, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this bill so that we can help ease the burden on pregnant women and young families at our nation’s airports in time for the busy travel season.”

Background:

The Helping Families Fly Act will:

• Require TSA officials to implement trainings for frontline personnel to improve screening experience of pregnant women and young families. This training includes the following:
• Inform workers of concerns and effects of using Advanced Imaging Technology on pregnant women
• Provide adequate opt-out options and alternate procedures
• Use of guidelines to assist pregnant women and families traveling with young children-- efficiently and with respect
• Communication guidelines to improve and ensure effective overall passenger experience at checkpoint screening
• Require the implementation of a communication strategy to inform women and families of procedures included in guidelines through social media, TSA website, customer service reps, as well as air carriers and operators.
• Require TSA to make passenger support specialists available, upon request, to women and families.
• Require TSA to conduct a study on the feasibility of installing dedicated screening lanes for pregnant women and families.