# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 4957

This bill requires airlines to announce the penalties for interfering with flight crew members in airport terminals. Specifically, the Department of Transportation has 90 days to create rules that make airlines use their public address systems to tell passengers about the legal consequences they'll face if they harass, threaten, or physically interfere with pilots, flight attendants, or other crew members during a flight.

The bill is responding to a real problem that got worse during the pandemic: passengers becoming aggressive or disruptive toward flight crew. By announcing the penalties upfront—before people board—the idea is to warn potential troublemakers about what they're risking. The actual penalties already exist in federal law (they can include fines and jail time), but many passengers may not realize how serious the consequences are. This bill simply requires that information to be communicated clearly to everyone in the airport terminal.

For most travelers, this won't change much about their experience. You'll just hear an additional announcement at the airport reminding you that interfering with crew members is illegal and has serious penalties. For passengers who might be tempted to act out, it's a heads-up that the government takes this seriously. Airlines will need to figure out how to work these announcements into their existing airport communications, but this is a straightforward requirement that shouldn't create major operational challenges.

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require the announcement of the penalty for interference with cabin or flight crew, and for other purposes.

Green, Al

 <p>This bill requires airports to broadcast in terminals automated announcements about the penalty for interfering with cabin or flight crews.</p>