What is it?
This bill would require the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) to notify air carriers and airport security personnel about guidelines allowing baby formula, breast milk, and juice on airlines. It would also require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to train its employees about special procedures to be used in screening those liquids.
The TSA currently has Special Procedures for parents traveling with infants, allowing them to bring baby formula, breast milk, and juice in quantities that exceeds the agency’s 3-1-1 Liquids Rule.
Impact
Cost
More Information
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced this bill to ensure that the TSA follows through with changes to training for security personnel in screening baby formula, breast milk, and juice for parents traveling with infants:
“I’m pleased by TSA’s prompt response to my letter to close the gap between its written procedures to accommodate parents and infants, and the actual enforcement of those procedures. The agency appears to be taking the proper steps to fix this problem, but it’s important that Congress requires TSA to maintain this priority in the future for new hires and retraining activities. Parents traveling with infants who try to follow the rules don’t deserve to be harassed by TSA, and the BABES Act will help ensure that the agency provides families with reasonable, consistent treatment.”
This legislation was passed by the House Homeland Security Committee on a voice vote, and it currently has the bipartisan support of both a Democratic and Republicancosponsor.
