---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1137"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1137"
heading: "Public transportation security training program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1137"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security"
  - "Subchapter III — Public Transportation Security"
---

# §1137. Public transportation security training program

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 90 days after August 3, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall develop and issue detailed interim final regulations, and not later than 1 year after August 3, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall develop and issue detailed final regulations, for a public transportation security training program to prepare public transportation employees, including [frontline employees](/usc/6/1131.md?p=4), for potential security threats and conditions.
- (b) **Consultation—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall develop the interim final and final regulations under [subsection (a)](#a) in consultation with—
  - (1) appropriate law enforcement, fire service, security, and [terrorism](/usc/6/1111.md?p=5) experts;
  - (2) representatives of [public transportation agencies](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5); and
  - (3) nonprofit employee labor organizations representing public transportation employees or [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) response [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15).
- (c) **Program elements—** The interim final and final regulations developed under [subsection (a)](#a) shall require security training programs to include, at a minimum, elements to address the following:
  - (1) Determination of the seriousness of any occurrence or threat.
  - (2) Crew and passenger communication and coordination.
  - (3) Appropriate responses to defend oneself, including using nonlethal defense devices.
  - (4) Use of personal protective devices and other protective equipment.
  - (5) Evacuation procedures for passengers and employees, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
  - (6) Training related to behavioral and psychological understanding of, and responses to, terrorist [incidents](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6), including the ability to cope with hijacker behavior, and passenger responses.
  - (7) Live situational training exercises regarding various threat conditions, including tunnel evacuation procedures.
  - (8) Recognition and reporting of dangerous substances and suspicious packages, persons, and situations.
  - (9) Understanding security [incident](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6) procedures, including procedures for communicating with governmental and nongovernmental [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6) and for on scene interaction with such [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6).
  - (10) Operation and maintenance of security equipment and systems.
  - (11) Other security training activities that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) deems appropriate.
- (d) **Required programs—**
  - (1) **Development and submission to Secretary—** Not later than 90 days after a [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) meets the requirements under [subsection (e)](#e), each such [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) shall develop a security training program in accordance with the regulations developed under [subsection (a)](#a) and submit the program to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) for approval.
  - (2) **Approval—** Not later than 60 days after receiving a security training program proposal under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall approve the program or require the [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) that developed the program to make any revisions to the program that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) determines necessary for the program to meet the requirements of the regulations. A [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) shall respond to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2)’s comments within 30 days after receiving them.
  - (3) **Training—** Not later than 1 year after the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) approves a security training program proposal in accordance with this subsection, the [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) that developed the program shall complete the training of all employees covered under the program.
  - (4) **Updates of regulations and program revisions—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall periodically review and update, as appropriate, the training regulations issued under [subsection (a)](#a) to reflect new or changing security threats. Each [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) shall revise its training program accordingly and provide additional training as necessary to its workers within a reasonable time after the regulations are updated.
- (e) **Applicability—** A [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) that receives a grant award under this subchapter shall be required to develop and implement a security training program pursuant to this section.
- (f) **Long-term training requirement—** Any [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) required to develop a security training program pursuant to this section shall provide routine and ongoing training for employees covered under the program, regardless of whether the [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) receives subsequent grant awards.
- (g) **National Training Program—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall ensure that the training program developed under [subsection (a)](#a) is a component of the National Training Program established under [section 748 of this title](/usc/6/748.md).
- (h) **Ferry exemption—** This section shall not apply to any ferry system for which training is required to be conducted pursuant to [section 70103 of title 46](/usc/46/70103.md).
- (i) **Report—** Not later than 2 years after the date of issuance of the final regulation, the Comptroller General shall review implementation of the training program, including interviewing a representative sample of [public transportation agencies](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) and employees, and report to the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/6/1111.md?p=1), on the number of reviews conducted and the results. The Comptroller General may submit the report in both classified and redacted formats as necessary.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XIV, § 1408, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 409.)