S. 525 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 525 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 16, 2023Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure that a child can sit next to a family member on a flight at no additional cost. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Families Fly Together Act of 2023. 2. Ensuring that a child can sit next to a family member on a flight at no additional cost (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 41727. Ensuring that a child can sit next to a family member on a flight at no additional cost (a) In general Beginning on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, each air carrier providing air transportation shall ensure that a child, who is age 13 or under on the date the flight is scheduled to occur, is able to be seated in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family member at no additional cost to the base fare price. (b) Investigations of complaints (1) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall investigate each complaint of a violation of the requirement under subsection (a). (2) Publication of data The Secretary of Transportation shall publish data on complaints of violations of the requirement under subsection (a) in a manner comparable to other consumer complaint data. (c) Family member For purposes of subsection (a), the term family member means, with respect to a child described in such subsection, an individual who is— (1) 16 years of age or older; and (2) responsible for accompanying such child, including a parent or legal guardian of such child. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 417 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 41726 the following: 41727. Ensuring that a child can sit next to a family member on a flight at no additional cost. .