Legislation would expand sleep apnea testing and treatment for transportation workers
Posted October 3, 2017
Legislation was introduced in both houses of the U. S. Congress to address rail operators and commercial drivers with sleep apnea.
The bill counters a move made by the Trump Administration to withdraw a proposed rulemaking that would have expanded sleep apnea testing and treatment requirements for train operators and commercial drivers.
The U. S. Senate version of the bill (S.1883) was introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and cosponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The House of Representatives bill (H.R.3882) was introduced by Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) and Albio Sires (NJ-08).
In August, Senators Booker, Schumer, Menendez, and Gillibrand sent a letter to U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine Chao questioning the Department’s decision to withdraw the proposed rule. Specifically, they asked to see the data used in DOT’s decision. They also requested DOT’s plan to identify and treat rail operators and truckers suffering from sleep apnea.
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