---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1167"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1167"
heading: "Railroad security training program"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1167"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Surface Transportation Security"
  - "Part B — Railroad Security"
---

# §1167. Railroad security training program

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 6 months after August 3, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) shall develop and issue regulations for a training program to prepare [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) [frontline employees](/usc/6/1131.md?p=4) for potential security threats and conditions. The regulations shall take into consideration any current security training requirements or best practices.
- (b) **Consultation—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) shall develop the regulations under [subsection (a)](#a) in consultation with—
  - (1) appropriate law enforcement, fire service, [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) response, security, and [terrorism](/usc/6/1111.md?p=5) experts;
  - (2) [railroad carriers](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8);
  - (3) [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) shippers; and
  - (4) nonprofit employee labor organizations representing [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) employees or [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) response personnel.
- (c) **Program elements—** The regulations developed under [subsection (a)](#a) shall require security training programs described in [subsection (a)](#a) to include, at a minimum, elements to address the following, as applicable:
  - (1) Determination of the seriousness of any occurrence or threat.
  - (2) Crew and passenger communication and coordination.
  - (3) Appropriate responses to defend or protect oneself.
  - (4) Use of personal and other protective equipment.
  - (5) Evacuation procedures for passengers and [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) employees, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
  - (6) Psychology, behavior, and methods of terrorists, including observation and analysis.
  - (7) Training related to psychological responses to terrorist [incidents](/usc/6/383.md?p=i-2), including the ability to cope with hijacker behavior and passenger responses.
  - (8) Live situational training exercises regarding various threat conditions, including tunnel evacuation procedures.
  - (9) Recognition and reporting of dangerous substances, suspicious packages, and situations.
  - (10) Understanding security [incident](/usc/6/383.md?p=i-2) procedures, including procedures for communicating with governmental and nongovernmental [emergency response providers](/usc/6/194.md?p=g-2) and for on-scene interaction with such [emergency response providers](/usc/6/194.md?p=g-2).
  - (11) Operation and maintenance of security equipment and systems.
  - (12) Other security training activities that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) considers appropriate.
- (d) **Required programs—**
  - (1) **Development and submission to Secretary—** Not later than 90 days after the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) issues regulations under [subsection (a)](#a), each [railroad carrier](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8) shall develop a security training program in accordance with this section and submit the program to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) for approval.
  - (2) **Approval or disapproval—** Not later than 60 days after receiving a security training program proposal under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) shall approve the program or require the [railroad carrier](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8) that developed the program to make any revisions to the program that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) considers necessary for the program to meet the requirements of this section. A [railroad carrier](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8) shall respond to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2)’s comments within 30 days after receiving them.
  - (3) **Training—** Not later than 1 year after the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) approves a security training program in accordance with this subsection, the [railroad carrier](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8) that developed the program shall complete the training of all [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) [frontline employees](/usc/6/1131.md?p=4) who were hired by a carrier more than 30 days preceding such date. For such employees employed less than 30 days by a carrier preceding such date, training shall be completed within the first 60 days of employment.
  - (4) **Updates of regulations and program revisions—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.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 [railroad carrier](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8) shall revise its training program accordingly and provide additional training as necessary to its [frontline employees](/usc/6/1131.md?p=4) within a reasonable time after the regulations are updated.
- (e) **National Training Program—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) shall ensure that the training program developed under [subsection (a)](#a) is a component of the [National Training Program](/usc/6/741.md?p=7) established under [section 748 of this title](/usc/6/748.md).
- (f) **Reporting requirements—** Not later than 2 years after the date of regulation issuance, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) shall review implementation of the training program of a representative sample of [railroad carriers](/usc/6/1151.md?p=8) and [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) [frontline employees](/usc/6/1131.md?p=4), and report to the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/6/1151.md?p=1) on the number of reviews conducted and the results of such reviews. The [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) may submit the report in both classified and redacted formats as necessary.
- (g) **Other employees—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1151.md?p=2) shall issue guidance and best practices for a [railroad](/usc/6/1151.md?p=7) shipper employee security program containing the elements listed under [subsection (c)](#c).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XV, § 1517, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 439.)
