The Transportation Security Administration issued a final rule that will require owners and operators of higher-risk freight railroad carriers, public transportation agencies, passenger railroad carriers, and over-the-road bus companies to provide security training to those employees that perform security-sensitive functions. TSA estimates there will be 33 freight railroads, including all Class 1 railroads, that will be forced to comply with this rule.
The training curriculum must teach employees to observe, assess, and respond to terrorist related threats or incidents and the course material must be TSA approved.
In part, the notice released by TSA stated “The purpose of this rule is to solidify the baseline of security for higher-risk surface transportation operations by improving and sustaining the preparedness of surface transportation employees in higher-risk operations, including their critical capability to observe, assess and respond to security risks and potential security breaches within their unique working environment. In developing this rulemaking, TSA recognizes private sector capabilities, voluntary initiatives, and other Federal requirements to raise security within distinct surface transportation operations.”
The final rule will be effective as of June 22, 2020 and has a compliance date of July 29, 2020.
