,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bdgh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bh1 #bjbe,mr4 ,markey 7for himself and ,ms4 ,warren7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of ,transportation to carry out a grant program to support efforts to provide fare-free transit service1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,freedom to ,move ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to invest in ,state1 county1 and local municipalities efforts to provide fare-free public transportation2 and 7#b7 to support ,state1 county1 and local municipalities in improving and expanding access to safe1 accessible1 and reliable mass transit systems in order to improve the livability of communities4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state1 county1 or local municipality2 7,b7 a transit agency2 7,c7 a private nonprofit organization engaged in public transportation in rural areas2 or 7,d7 a partnership between entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,c74 7#b7 ,foster care youth ,the term foster care youth-- 7,a7 means children and youth whose care and placement are the responsibility of the ,state or ,tribal agency that administers a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq41 #fgj et seq471 without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under section #dgb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 on behalf of such children and youth2 and 7,b7 includes individuals who were age #ac or older when their care and placement were the responsibility of a ,state or ,tribal agency that administered a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq41 #fgj et seq47 and who are no longer under the care and responsibility of such a ,state or ,tribal agency1 without regard to any such individual's subsequent adoption1 guardianship arrangement1 or other form of permanency outcome4 7#c7 ,low-income individuals ,the term low-income individuals means an individual whose family income is at or below #aej percent of the poverty line 7as that term is defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,community ,service ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b771 including any revision required by that section7 for a family of the size involved4 7#d7 ,public transportation ,the term public transportation-- 7,a7 means regular1 continuing shared-ride surface transportation services that are open to the general public or open to a segment of the general public defined by age1 disability1 or low income2 and 7,b7 does not include-- 7i7 intercity passenger rail transportation provided by the entity described in chapter #bdc of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code 7or a successor to such entity72 7ii7 intercity bus service2 7iii7 charter bus service2 7iv7 school bus service2 7v7 sightseeing service2 7vi7 courtesy shuttle service for patrons of one or more specific establishments2 or 7vii7 intra-terminal or intra-facility shuttle services4 7#e7 ,underserved community ,the term underserved community means-- 7,a7 a community not served by existing bus routes or infrequent service2 and 7,b7 a community located in an area within a census tract that is identified as-- 7i7 a low-income community2 and 7ii7 a community of color4 #d4 ,grants to support fare-free transit 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #cfj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall award grants1 which shall be known as ,freedom to ,move ,grants1 to eligible entities1 on a competitive basis1 to cover the lost fare revenue for fare-free public transportation and improve public transportation4 7b7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including1 at a minimum1 the following3 7#a7 ,a description of how the eligible entity plans to implement fare-free transit access4 7#b7 ,a description of how the entity will work to expand and improve bus service1 which may include-- 7,a7 a bus network redesign2 7,b7 how such redesign will prioritize consistent and reliable service for low-income and historically underserved communities2 7,c7 how such redesign will prioritize connectivity to critical services and improve community livability2 and 7,d7 how the eligible entity will meaningfully consult with community1 community leaders1 local stakeholders and advocates1 including transit advocates and disability advocates1 local education agencies and institutions of higher education1 community developers1 labor unions1 public housing agencies and workforce development boards1 while facilitating such redesign4 7#c7 ,a description of how the eligible entity will meaningfully partner and collaborate with community1 community leaders1 local stakeholders and advocates1 including transit advocates and disability advocates1 local education agencies and institutions of higher education1 community developers1 labor unions1 public housing agencies1 and workforce development boards to support outreach efforts to increase awareness of fare-free bus and transit programs4 7#d7 ,a description of the eligible entity's equity evaluation examining any transit and mobility gaps within the current transit system and how the eligible entity plans to significantly improve these gaps1 including-- 7,a7 the average commute times for driver commuters and non-driver commuters2 7,b7 public transit ridership rates disaggregated by mode of transportation and demographic group1 including youth 7including youth involved in the foster care system71 seniors1 individuals with disabilities1 and low-income status2 and 7,c7 average length of bus routes and average delay times4 7#e7 ,a description of the eligible entity's current fare evasion enforcement policies1 including-- 7,a7 the cost of the fine and whether the infraction is considered a civil offense or a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment2 7,b7 the number of individuals charged with violating a fare evasion policy1 disaggregated by age1 race1 gender1 and disability status2 and 7,c7 how the eligible entity plans to eliminate fare evasion policies and end the criminalization of individuals evading fares4 7#f7 ,an estimate of additional costs as a result of increased ridership1 including-- 7,a7 fuel2 7,b7 personnel2 7,c7 maintenance2 and 7,d7 other operational costs4 7#g7 ,information and statistics on assaults on transit employees and a description of trainings and policies to protect employees1 which may include de-escalation training4 7c7 ,duration ,grants awarded under this section shall be for a #e-year period4 7d7 ,selection of eligible entities ,in carrying out the program under this section1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities located in both rural and urbanized areas4 7e7 ,uses of funds ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant to support-- 7#a7 implementing a fare-free transit program2 and 7#b7 efforts to improve public transportation1 particularly in underserved communities1 including costs associated with efforts to provide more safe1 frequent1 and reliable bus service1 including-- 7,a7 bus stop safety and accessibility improvements2 7,b7 pedestrian and bike shelters2 7,c7 signage2 7,d7 painted bus lanes2 7,e7 signal priority systems2 7,f7 street redesign2 7,g7 operational costs to meet demands of increased ridership1 including hiring and training of personnel2 and 7,h7 conducting a bus network redesign4 7f7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #c years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this section1 the ,secretary shall collect data from eligible entities receiving a grant under this section on the progress of meeting the targets described in the application of such entity4 7#b7 ,requirements ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 collect data on demographics of communities served under this ,act1 disaggregated and cross-tabulated by-- 7i7 race2 7ii7 ethnicity2 7iii7 sex2 and 7iv7 household median income2 and 7,b7 progress towards significantly closing transit equity gaps as described in subsection 7b77#d74 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbf through #bjcj4