Legislative Issues

Baggage Screening Legislation Passed by Congress

Read Inslee's letter to the committee that negotiated the final version of this legislation.

November 19, 2001

Question:

What were the baggage screening measures passed by Congress?

Answer:

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (S 1447) says that all checked baggage must be screened with Explosive Detection Systems by December 31, 2002.

Interim measures will be taken until the December 31, 2002 deadline for screening baggage arrives. The interim measures are that:

Within 60 days of the President signing the bill, the Under Secretary of Transportation for security shall require an alternative means of screening all baggage that is not screened by an Explosive Detection System. Those measures may include one or more of the following:

1. A bag-match program that ensures that no checked baggage is placed aboard an aircraft unless the passenger who checked the baggage is aboard the aircraft
2. Manual search
3. Search by canine explosive detection units in combination with other means
4. Other means or technology approved by the Under Secretary