II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 678 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2007 Mrs. Boxer (for herself and Ms. Snowe) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure air passengers have access to necessary services while on a grounded air carrier and are not unnecessarily held on a grounded air carrier before or after a flight, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2007.

2.

Airline customer service commitment

(a)

In general

Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: IV

Airline Customer Service

41781.

Airline customer service requirements

(a)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2007, each air carrier shall institute the following practices: (1)

Provision of food and water

In any case in which departure of a flight of an air carrier is delayed, such air carrier shall provide— (A)adequate food and potable water to passengers on such flight during such delay; and (B)adequate restroom facilities to passengers on such flight during such delay. (2)

Right to deplane

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if more than 3 hours after passengers have boarded an air carrier and the air carrier doors are closed, the air carrier has not departed, the air carrier shall provide passengers with the option to deplane safely before the departure of such air carrier. Such option shall be provided to passengers not less often than once during each 3-hour period that the plane remains on the ground. (B)

Exceptions

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply— (i)if the pilot of such flight reasonably determines that such flight will depart not later than 30 minutes after the 3 hour delay; or (ii)if the pilot of such flight reasonably determines that permitting a passenger to deplane would jeopardize passenger safety or security. (b)

Air carrier

In this section the term air carrier means an air carrier holding a certificate issued under section 41102 that conducts scheduled passenger air transportation.

. (b)

Regulations

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate such regulations as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the amendments made by this Act. (c)

Conforming amendment

The chapter analysis for chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Subchapter IV—Airline customer service 41781. Airline customer service requirements. .