U.S. Air Travel Public Safety Act

To reduce passenger, crewmember, and airport personnel risk of exposure to COVID–19, decrease the risk of transmission of COVID–19 on board aircraft and to United States destination communities through air travel, and protect children and other vulnerable individuals by preventing further spread of COVID–19 in the United States. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Air Travel Public Safety Act 2. Domestic air transportation within the United States (a) Travel requirement The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary (1) provide the covered air carrier with documentation demonstrating that the passenger is fully vaccinated (as defined by the Secretary or any successor guidance) against the COVID–19 (SARS–CoV–2) novel coronavirus; or (2) attest under penalty of perjury that the passenger has adhered to the international travel recommendations and requirements for individuals who are not fully vaccinated (issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) prior to boarding, including requirements to provide proof of a negative pre-departure qualifying test result for SARS–CoV–2 or, alternatively, written or electronic documentation of recovery from COVID–19 after previous SARS–CoV–2 infection, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s testing requirements and applicable guidance. (b) Regulations (1) In general The Secretary shall promulgate interim final rules to ensure that the standards and procedures developed under subsection (a) are applied to covered air carriers beginning on the date that is not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Exception The interim final rules promulgated under paragraph (1) shall include a list of those categories of individuals and organizations that are exempt from the standards and procedures developed under this section. Such list shall be developed by the Secretary in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s applicable guidance. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Air carrier The term air carrier (2) Aircraft The term aircraft (3) Airport The term airport (4) Attest; attestation The terms attest attestation (5) Covered air carrier The term covered air carrier (A) any air carrier engaged in passenger-carrying operations; or (B) any foreign air carrier authorized to engage in passenger-carrying operations. (6) Covered flight The term covered flight (7) Documentation of recovery The term documentation of recovery (A) the passenger has presented documentation of a positive test result and a signed letter on official letterhead that contains the name, address, and phone number of a licensed health care provider or public health official stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel; (B) the positive test result occurred within the last three months (90 days) preceding the passenger’s flight in the United States, or at such other intervals as specified in guidance issued by the Secretary; (C) the personal identifiers (including the name and date of birth) on the positive test result and signed letter match the personal identifiers on the passenger’s passport or other travel documents; (D) the test performed was a viral test; and (E) the test result states POSITIVE SARS–CoV–2 RNA DETECTED SARS–CoV–2 ANTIGEN DETECTED COVID–19 DETECTED A test marked invalid (8) Foreign air carrier The term foreign air carrier (9) Qualifying test result The term qualifying test result (A) the personal identifiers (including the name and date of birth) on the negative Qualifying Test result match the personal identifiers on the passenger’s passport or other travel documents; (B) the specimen was collected within the 3 days (or a lesser number of days if determined appropriate by the Secretary) preceding the flight’s departure; (C) the test performed was a viral test; and (D) the test result states NEGATIVE SARS–CoV–2 RNA NOT DETECTED SARS–CoV–2 ANTIGEN NOT DETECTED COVID–19 NOT DETECTED A test marked invalid (10) United States The term United States 3. Recommendations for COVID–19 vaccine use Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall review data on the transmission of COVID–19 in health care settings and among health care personnel in other settings, and develop and make recommendations for COVID–19 vaccine use on the basis of transmission in health care settings and among health care personnel in other settings.

Summary: U.S. Air Travel Public Safety Act This bill addresses COVID-19 vaccination requirements for aircraft passengers and in health care settings. The Department of Health and Human Services must develop national standards that require passengers on domestic flights to either provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or attest that they followed recommendations for travelers who are not fully vaccinated. Additionally, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must develop recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations in health care settings.