H.R. 8699: Safe Transit for All Act of 2026

The Safe Transit for All Act of 2026 aims to improve safety on public transit systems by addressing the issue of street harassment against passengers. The bill mandates that certain public transit agencies, specifically those serving urban areas with populations of 200,000 or more, establish programs to collect data on incidents of harassment experienced by passengers. This includes various types of street harassment, such as verbal or physical assaults.

Data Collection and Reporting

The bill requires these transit agencies to:

• Set up accessible mechanisms for passengers to report incidents of harassment, both in-person and digitally.
• Collect information on the frequency, type, location, and timing of incidents reported by passengers.
• Gather demographic data of those who experience harassment, which may include race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, income, primary language, sex, and sexual orientation.
• Understand the effects of harassment on passengers, including how it might influence their use of public transit.

Multilingual Outreach

Transit agencies are also required to conduct outreach in multiple languages to better understand the safety concerns of passengers with limited English proficiency. This ensures that all passengers, regardless of language skills, can report incidents and feel safe using public transit.

Data Publication

After collecting data, agencies must publish the information on a publicly accessible website, while ensuring that personally identifiable information is protected. This transparency aims to raise awareness about street harassment and its impact on public transit usage.

Response Protocols

The bill also mandates transit agencies to establish protocols for responding to reports of harassment, thereby enhancing the overall safety and security of public transit environments.

Definition of Street Harassment

For the purposes of this legislation, "street harassment" is defined as any intimidating or threatening words, gestures, or actions directed at individuals based on their actual or perceived personal characteristics. This definition includes protections under existing civil rights laws.

Integration into National Transit Database

The collected data on street harassment is intended to be included in the National Transit Database, ensuring a comprehensive record of safety concerns faced by public transit passengers across the country.

Relevant Companies

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