I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2870 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 15, 2009 Mr. Lipinski introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 A BILL To standardize and clarify the dimensions of carry-on baggage and personal items on air carriers.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Securing Cabin Baggage Act.

2.

Carry-on baggage

(a)

TSA regulations

(1)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, shall issue regulations to establish a limit on the size of baggage and personal items allowed to be carried by a passenger on board an aircraft. (2)

Carry-on baggage restrictions

Such regulations shall require that each passenger may bring only one carry-on bag and one personal item, the dimensions of each, when loaded, shall not exceed 56 centimeters in length by 45 centimeters in height by 25 centimeters in width (rounded to 22 inches by 18 inches (17.75) by 10 inches (9.85)). (b)

FAA regulations

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall modify section 121.589 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to require that the carry-on baggage program of each air carrier limits each passenger boarding an aircraft to not more than one piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item described in subsection (a). An air carrier may establish smaller size limits for carry-on baggage and a personal item than the limits set forth in this section. (c)

Exclusions for carry-on baggage limitations

The carry-on baggage and personal item limitations established by the TSA and the FAA under this section shall not apply to— (1)a child safety seat for a child passenger; (2)assistive devices for disabled passengers, including wheelchairs, canes, and crutches; (3)musical instruments; (4)outer garments, including a coat and a hat; and (5)cockpit and cabin crew in uniform. (d)

Notification

(1)

TSA

The TSA shall post on its Web site and in plain view signs notifying passengers of the Federal carry-on baggage and personal item limitations at the check-in desk outside of the passenger security screening checkpoint and at the passenger security screening checkpoint. (2)

FAA

The FAA shall provide notice of carry-on baggage and personal item limitations to each ticket purchaser and post such limitations on its Web site, in appropriate passenger education sections. (e)

Use of template

(1)

In general

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, TSA shall install and utilize a template with a maximum depth and width that will prevent the conveyor belt passage at each security checkpoint of carry-on baggage or a personal item that exceeds the dimensions set forth in subsection (a). (2)

Check-in requirement

TSA representatives shall require any passenger whose carry-on baggage or personal item exceeds the maximum length of the dimensions set forth in subsection (a) to check such carry-on baggage or personal item. (f)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply: (1)The term FAA means the Federal Aviation Administration. (2)The term passenger means an individual who boards an aircraft, including any child under the age of 2 who boards an aircraft without regard to whether or not a ticket for air transportation was purchased for the child. (3)The term TSA means the Transportation Security Administration.