§70132 Credentialing Standards, Training, and Certification for State and Local Support for the Enforcement of Security Zones for the Transportation of Especially Hazardous Cargo

Summary

The Coast Guard Commandant must set national rules for training and credentials so public safety workers can enforce or help enforce security zones around ships and ports. The Commandant must also create and publish the training course for public safety workers and for workers hired by a facility or vessel to help enforce those zones. The Commandant can give the training, test people, and make agreements letting other government or private groups give or run the approved course. Any federal agency or other group paid to provide the training must train public safety workers and also make the training available to helpers and facility or vessel staff. If a federal agency gives the training, its leader may accept payment for it and must put that money into the agency’s current appropriation for the same purpose. DHS grants may be used to pay for this training, including for limited access areas. The Secretary, working with the Maritime Administrator, must work with government training centers, colleges, private groups, unions, and other providers, use public training facilities when useful, and certify organizations that teach the approved course. Public safety personnel means law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency responders at the federal, state, local, territorial, or Tribal level.