Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act

Key Points

• Creates a new federal crime for assaulting or intimidating passenger train crew members in a way that disrupts their work.
• Covers incidents on board passenger trains, on platforms serving trains, and inside rail stations.
• Protects a wide range of workers, including engineers, conductors, onboard staff, safety-sensitive workers, and some station employees.
• Sets penalties of up to 8 years in prison, and up to 20 years if a dangerous weapon is used.
• Defines “dangerous weapon” broadly, including items like a small pocket knife (under 2.5 inches) and a box cutter.