RIDER Safety Act

This bill proposes to amend title 49, United States Code, to expand eligibility for federal crime prevention and security grants within public transportation systems. Specifically, it allows for operational grants to be used for funding transit support specialists , a new category of personnel aimed at enhancing rider safety. A transit support specialist is defined as unarmed personnel responsible for providing an added sense of security to patrons through their presence on transit vehicles, stops, and stations. Their duties include monitoring, assisting riders and personnel, reporting emergencies, and engaging with the public to deter disruptive behavior and security risks. These specialists are also tasked with handling minor, non-criminal conflicts and performing crisis intervention services to de-escalate situations, thereby preserving law enforcement resources for critical incidents.