Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Rider Safety Act” or the “RIDER Safety Act”.
Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Rider Safety Act
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for eligibility of transit support specialists for crime prevention and security grants.
Sec. 2 Crime prevention and security
Section 5321 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
by striking “The Secretary” and inserting “(a) Capital grants.—The Secretary”;
by inserting “and, notwithstanding section 5307(a)(1)(D), operational grants from amounts available under section 5338 to public transportation systems for transit support specialists” after “crime prevention and security”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(b) Definition of transit support specialist—In this section, the term “transit support specialist” means unarmed personnel responsible for performing a variety of duties designed to provide an added sense of security to transit patrons through the presence of such personnel on transit vehicles, stops, and stations and engagement with the public, deterring and reporting disruptive behavior within transit systems, including—
“(1) monitoring transit stations and transit vehicles;
“(2) providing assistance to transit riders and personnel;
“(3) assisting with and reports medical emergencies;
“(4) engaging with transit system personnel and the public to establish an official presence and deter disruptive behavior and security risks;
“(5) observing and reporting suspicious activity and security threats to transit system personnel and law enforcement;
“(6) handling minor, non-criminal conflicts through alternative channels to preserve law enforcement resources for critical or emergency incidents; and
“(7) connecting patrons with or performing crisis intervention services to de-escalate conflicts.”