Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Accommodating Individuals Requesting Familial Assistance in Riding Efficiently Act or the AIRFARE Act.
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Caregivers
The term caregivers means individuals responsible for the care of minors or passengers needing assistance.
(2) Minors
The term minors means individuals under the age of 18.
(3) Passengers needing assistance
The term passengers needing assistance means individuals requiring special assistance related to their health or mobility, such as wheelchair users.
(b) Implementation
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall establish a system at domestic airports to expedite gate passes and flight access procedures. The system shall ensure the following:
(1) Air carriers may offer up to two gate passes to caregivers, parents, and guardians who are accompanying a minor or a passenger needing assistance to a departing flight.
(2) If applicable, caregivers, parents, and guardians may apply their existing TSA Pre-Check privileges to such gate passes via their Known Traveler Numbers, and such gate passes shall note such status in the same manner and to the same extent as such status would be noted on a ticket issued to such caregivers, parents, and guardians.
(c) Requirement
In the case of a passenger needing assistance who makes use of a wheelchair, a gate pass may be issued to a caregiver of such passenger pursuant to subsection (b) only if such caregiver is the individual pushing such wheelchair.