Today, top Republican on the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) and Chairman Rep. Luis Correa (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3694, the Helping Families Fly Act of 2019, to improve the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening experience for pregnant women and young families at our nation’s airports.

“For pregnant women and families with young children, traveling is already a stressful and time-consuming task,” said Congresswoman Lesko (AZ-08). “This bill aims to ease the burden on pregnant women and families while being screened at airports. By requiring improved training for TSA officers, better informing women and families of TSA procedures, and offering support specialists, we can make the airport experience for women and families quicker and easier.”

“I want to thank my colleague, Ranking Member Lesko for this important legislation that will help improve our Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workforce and make traveling better for families,” said Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46). “We all know how difficult it can be to get through security at our airports, especially for expecting mothers or families with young children. This legislation will help improve travelers experience, protect pregnant mothers while ensuring the men and women of the TSA can do their jobs and keep our nation safe.”

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.