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119-hr-5847119th CongressWALLET
Airline Travelers Right to Know Act
Sponsored By: Representative Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration to implement and enforce a right-to-know policy on toxic fume exposure for passengers, pilots, and cabin crew on passenger-carrying aircraft operating under part 121. The policy would cover fumes that may cause permanent health or brain damage and the FAA would have 180 days to put it in place.
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- Passengers and families would receive a required disclosure at ticket purchase or through third-party sellers that lists chemicals, acute and chronic health risks, and must acknowledge understanding. Passengers would also have the right to use cabin oxygen masks during a toxic fume event.
- Pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance workers would see the policy added to contracts, be notified when an exposure is confirmed, and could decline assignments on aircraft with unresolved issues without penalty. Crewmembers must be provided mobile oxygen masks for assisting passengers.
- Airlines and operators of part 121 aircraft would face regulations to install toxic fume sensors under rules issued within 15 days and to report exposures to the FAA. Missing required reports would carry a civil penalty of $100,000 per report and other violations could trigger penalties under section 46301.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger crew rights after fume events
If enacted, airlines would have to tell crews about the most recent toxic fume exposure and whether it was fixed. If the issue is not fixed, a crewmember could decline the assignment without punishment. Within 15 days, the Department of Transportation would set rules requiring mobile oxygen masks for crew who help passengers during a fume event.
Airlines must add fume sensors, face fines
If enacted, within 15 days the Department of Transportation would require toxic fume sensors on passenger jets. FAA and DOT would update penalty procedures to cover these rules. Airlines that skip disclosures or make false statements tied to a confirmed illness could face civil penalties under existing law. If a required report is missing at inspection, the fine would be $100,000 per missing report.
Toxic fume warnings for travelers and crew
If enacted, FAA would require a right-to-know notice on toxic fumes within 180 days. You would get it right after you buy a ticket, including on third-party sites. It would explain health risks, name harmful chemicals, and say you would have a right to use cabin oxygen masks after an event. Crew contracts would include this policy. Starting on enactment, ticket buyers would have to confirm they understand these risks, and affected customers and crew would be notified as soon as fumes are confirmed.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
NY • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov