H.R. 5109
Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop guidelines to improve access to a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for prisoners prior to their release.
Specifically, TSA must develop guidelines to assist individuals in federal, state, and local prisons in (1) pre-applying or preparing an application for a TWIC card; and (2) requesting an appeal or waiver of a preliminary determination of ineligibility for a TWIC card.
As background, a TWIC card is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of U.S. maritime facilities and vessels. TSA conducts a background check to determine a person’s eligibility and issues the credential.
Text of the bill
This Act may be cited as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act or the TWICE Act.
(a) In general. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall develop the following guidelines relating to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program:
(1) To improve access of returning citizens to the TWIC program.
(2) To assist individuals who are incarcerated in pre-applying or preparing applications for TWIC cards.
(3) To assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determinations of ineligibility for TWIC cards.
(b) Briefing. Not later than 180 days after the development of the guidelines described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the implementation of this section.
(c) Definitions. In this section:
(1) Returning citizens. The term returning citizens means individuals released from incarceration and otherwise eligible for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program.
(2) Transportation Worker Identification Credential. The term Transportation Worker Identification Credential means a Transportation Worker Identification Credential issued in accordance with section 70105 of title 46, United States Code.