,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #dae ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #e1 #bjbe,mr4 ,lujn introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to establish the position of ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate within the ,department of ,transportation1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,dot ,victim and ,survivor ,advocate ,act4 #b4 ,position of ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,transportation4 7#b7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,transportation4 7#c7 ,stakeholder 7,a7 ,in general ,the term stakeholder means-- 7i7 a victim or survivor of a road crash2 or 7ii7 a family member of a victim or survivor of a road crash4 7,b7 ,family member ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the term family member shall not be limited to a parent1 parent-in-law1 grandparent1 grandparent-in-law1 sibling1 spouse1 child1 or step-child of a victim or survivor of a road crash4 7b7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish within the ,office of the ,under ,secretary of ,transportation for ,policy of the ,department a position1 to be known as the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate4 7#b7 ,career position ,the position of ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate shall be filled by a career appointment4 7c7 ,purposes of the position ,the purposes of the position of the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate are-- 7#a7 to document and communicate recommendations from stakeholders to the ,secretary on needs1 objectives1 plans1 approaches1 content1 and accomplishments of the programs and activities carried out by the ,department relating to roadway safety2 and 7#b7 to serve as a resource and point of contact for stakeholders on relevant roadway safety issues4 7d7 ,authority and limitations 7#a7 ,authority ,the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate may-- 7,a7 provide-- 7i7 education on ,department activities to stakeholders2 and 7ii7 means for stakeholders to provide the perspective of the stakeholders on roadway safety issues to the ,department2 7,b7 explain ,department processes1 procedures1 scientific principles1 and technical information to stakeholders in plain language2 7,c7 communicate the perspective of stakeholders within ,department processes2 7,d7 provide aggregated feedback on the regulatory agenda and activities of the ,department from stakeholders to the ,secretary2 7,e7 build relationships with individual stakeholders1 through establishing consistent outreach and dialogue for feedback1 to enhance the engagement in the mission of the ,department2 7,f7 publish educational materials for enhancing stakeholder understanding of activities and procedures of the ,department in accessible formats and venues1 with clear and easy to understand wording1 consistent with ,department policy1 in multiple languages2 7,g7 consult with and make recommendations to the ,secretary relating to the appointment of stakeholders who may be appropriate for roles in advisory roadway safety committees1 in accordance with chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,h7 meet not less frequently than once per quarter with the ,secretary to highlight issues1 make recommendations for resolving problems and alleviating stakeholder roadway safety concerns1 and summarize input from stakeholders on proposed roadway safety initiatives2 7,i7 refer questions to the ,office of the ,general ,counsel or the ,office of the ,under ,secretary of ,transportation for ,policy1 as appropriate2 7,j7 work collaboratively with other offices in the ,department that are working to educate and communicate with stakeholders on roadway safety issues2 and 7,k7 perform such other duties as may be determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,limitations ,the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate may not-- 7,a7 provide legal notice1 counsel1 or determinations of any kind2 7,b7 set or delay any agency deadlines2 7,c7 make ,department decisions2 7,d7 create or authorize ,department policies1 priorities1 or activities2 7,e7 modify or interfere with any laws1 regulations1 related policies1 practices1 or procedures followed or enforced by the ,department2 7,f7 prevent other ,department staff from working directly with stakeholders2 7,g7 disclose or discuss any enforcement matters that are under investigation1 in litigation1 or the subject of a civil penalty investigation or any other pre-litigation or litigation proceeding2 or 7,h7 disclose or discuss any human resource matters with individuals outside of the ,department4 7e7 ,report to ,office of the ,under ,secretary of ,transportation for ,policy ,the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate shall report within the ,office of the ,under ,secretary of ,transportation for ,policy of the ,department4 7f7 ,support ,the ,office of the ,under ,secretary of ,transportation for ,policy of the ,department shall provide necessary funding1 logistics1 and administrative support to the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate as necessary4 7g7 ,access to documents ,the ,department shall ensure that the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate has full and timely access to the documents of the ,department1 as necessary1 to carry out the functions of the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate4 7h7 ,reports required 7#a7 ,annual report ,not later than ,november #ae of each year1 the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate shall submit to the ,secretary an annual report-- 7,a7 highlighting systemic issues relating to roadway safety based on information provided by stakeholders2 and 7,b7 making recommendations on how to remedy the issues highlighted under subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,additional reports ,in addition to the annual report required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate may submit to the ,secretary such additional reports1 as determined necessary by the ,national ,roadway ,safety ,advocate1 in accordance with the requirements of that paragraph4