Sponsors (2)
The bill restores individual choice and reduces federal enforcement and regulatory uncertainty around mask rules for transportation, but increases public‑health risks for travelers and frontline workers and may cause service disruptions and patchwork local responses.
Passengers, transportation workers, and the traveling public regain the right not to be federally required to wear masks on planes, trains, buses, and in transportation hubs.
Airlines, transit carriers, and passengers face reduced federal enforcement risk because federal penalties and enforcement tied to the CDC/TSA mask orders are removed.
Carriers and transportation authorities get immediate clarity as the specified federal mask orders are rescinded, reducing regulatory uncertainty about federal mask mandates.
Passengers, transportation workers, seniors, and people with chronic conditions face higher risk of respiratory virus transmission and related illness because federally mandated mask protections in crowded transport settings are removed.
Local transit agencies, carriers, and passengers may experience increased COVID‑19 outbreaks that cause staff shortages, service reductions, and other operational disruptions.
States, localities, or carriers that wish to require masks may face legal and operational uncertainty and a patchwork of rules because the federal mask requirement and related enforcement are removed.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bans federal mask requirements on conveyances and at transportation hubs and immediately nullifies the CDC and related TSA mask orders.
Official title: To prohibit the imposition of mask mandates on public transportation.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by Andrew S. Biggs · Last progress January 3, 2025
Bans federal agencies from requiring people to wear face masks on any conveyance (as defined in federal regulation) or at transportation hubs, and immediately nullifies the CDC’s January 29, 2021 mask order and related TSA orders and directives. The change takes effect on enactment and removes federal mask mandates for travel and at transportation facilities.