# DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act

This bill creates a new position within the Department of Transportation (DOT) called a Victim and Survivor Advocate. The advocate would serve as a dedicated point of contact for people who have been harmed by transportation-related incidents or accidents. Think of this person as an ombudsman—someone whose job is specifically to listen to victims and survivors, understand their concerns, and help them navigate the system to get answers and support.

The advocate would work to ensure that victims and survivors of transportation accidents are treated fairly and have their voices heard within the DOT. This could include helping people understand what happened in an accident, connecting them with resources, advocating for their needs during investigations, and making sure the department considers their perspectives when making decisions about transportation safety. The position would essentially give people who've experienced transportation tragedies a dedicated champion within the federal government rather than having to figure out the bureaucracy on their own.

This affects anyone who has been injured in or lost a loved one in a transportation accident—whether that's a plane crash, train derailment, bus accident, or other incident involving transportation. It also affects the broader public by potentially improving how the DOT responds to and learns from accidents. By having someone specifically focused on victim needs, the department may become more responsive to safety concerns and more transparent about what goes wrong and how to prevent future incidents. The advocate could help identify patterns in accidents and push for changes that make transportation safer for everyone.

DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act

Luján, Ben Ray

DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate ActThis bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the position of National Roadway Safety Advocate to work directly with victims and survivors of road crashes or their families (i.e., stakeholders).Specifically, the purposes of the advocate are to (1) document and communicate recommendations from stakeholders to DOT on the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments of DOT's roadway safety programs and activities; and (2) serve as a resource and point of contact for stakeholders on relevant roadway safety issues.The bill specifies that the advocate position must be filled by a career appointment.The bill prohibits the advocate from taking certain actions, such as<ul><li>creating or authorizing DOT policies, priorities, or activities; or</li><li>disclosing or discussing any enforcement matters that are under investigation or in litigation.</li></ul>The advocate must submit an annual report to DOT highlighting systemic issues relating to roadway safety based on information provided by stakeholders. The report must include recommendations on how to remedy the issues.