49 U.S.C. § 44913 : US Code - Section 44913: Explosive detection

Search 49 U.S.C. § 44913 : US Code - Section 44913: Explosive detection

(a) Deployment and Purchase of Equipment. - (1) A deployment or
purchase of explosive detection equipment under section 108.7(b)(8)
or 108.20 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or similar
regulation is required only if the Under Secretary of
Transportation for Security certifies that the equipment alone, or
as part of an integrated system, can detect under realistic air
carrier operating conditions the amounts, configurations, and types
of explosive material that would likely be used to cause
catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft. The Under Secretary
shall base the certification on the results of tests conducted
under protocols developed in consultation with expert scientists
outside of the Transportation Security Administration. Those tests
shall be completed not later than April 16, 1992.
(2) Before completion of the tests described in paragraph (1) of
this subsection, but not later than April 16, 1992, the Under
Secretary may require deployment of explosive detection equipment
described in paragraph (1) if the Under Secretary decides that
deployment will enhance aviation security significantly. In making
that decision, the Under Secretary shall consider factors such as
the ability of the equipment alone, or as part of an integrated
system, to detect under realistic air carrier operating conditions
the amounts, configurations, and types of explosive material that
would likely be used to cause catastrophic damage to commercial
aircraft. The Under Secretary shall notify the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives of a deployment decision made under this paragraph.
(3) Until such time as the Under Secretary determines that
equipment certified under paragraph (1) is commercially available
and has successfully completed operational testing as provided in
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall facilitate the deployment
of such approved commercially available explosive detection devices
as the Under Secretary determines will enhance aviation security
significantly. The Under Secretary shall require that equipment
deployed under this paragraph be replaced by equipment certified
under paragraph (1) when equipment certified under paragraph (1)
becomes commercially available. The Under Secretary is authorized,
based on operational considerations at individual airports, to
waive the required installation of commercially available equipment
under paragraph (1) in the interests of aviation security. The
Under Secretary may permit the requirements of this paragraph to be
met at airports by the deployment of dogs or other appropriate
animals to supplement equipment for screening passengers, baggage,
mail, or cargo for explosives or weapons.
(4) This subsection does not prohibit the Under Secretary from
purchasing or deploying explosive detection equipment described in
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(b) Grants. - The Secretary of Transportation may provide grants
to continue the Explosive Detection K-9 Team Training Program to
detect explosives at airports and on aircraft.