Bill · H.R. 8894· House(119-HR-8894)
Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act
- Introduced
- 5/19/2026
- Last activity
- 5/19/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Laura Gillen
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act. It makes the assault or intimidation of a passenger train crew member a Federal crime. The rules for prosecuting these acts are set up to be consistent with how aircraft crew member assaults are handled. The bill defines who counts as a crew member, what a passenger train is, and what constitutes a dangerous weapon or serious bodily injury. It lays out specific offenses and outlines penalties for violating these rules.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would union members be better off under this?+6
The act provides much stronger legal protections for rail workers against physical assault and intimidation.
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?+5
The bill increases worker safety by establishing federal criminal penalties for the assault or intimidation of rail crew members.
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+4
The bill supports the safety and security of passenger rail transit operations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for Rail Workers: Section 2, adding Sec. 28104(b), makes it unlawful to assault a crew member and interfere with their duties, or attempt or conspire to do so, while onboard a passenger train, on a platform, or in a rail station. This protects engineers, conductors, onboard personnel, safety-sensitive employees, and station service employees.
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Stiffer Penalties for Harmful Actions: Section 2, adding Sec. 28104(c)(2), establishes aggravated penalties for offenders who strike, beat, wound, use a dangerous weapon, cause serious bodily injury, or act with intent to commit other crimes or murder. This ensures serious accountability for people who harm or attempt to harm train workers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties and Fines: Section 2, adding Sec. 28104(c)(1), states that anyone who violates the basic assault and interference rule can be fined, imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both. This places a heavy burden and strict criminal consequences on individuals who break these rules.
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Severe Prison Sentences for Aggravated Offenses: Section 2, adding Sec. 28104(c)(2), imposes severe maximum prison terms ranging from 1 year to 20 years depending on the severity of the act, such as using a dangerous weapon or acting with intent to commit murder. While holding people accountable, these lengthy sentences represent major negative consequences for offenders.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+2
- 9/24/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/29/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey