Airport security screening goes private—with liability shield for operators
H.R. 8151 — Expanding Private Airport Security Screening Act · Filed by Scott Perry (R-PA) · 4 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 27, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill allows airport operators to hire private security screening companies instead of using TSA personnel, provided those companies meet federal standards and are U.S.-owned. The TSA maintains a public list of approved private screeners, supervises their work, and reports annually on performance and cost comparisons. Airport operators are shielded from liability for private screeners' negligence, but private screeners themselves remain liable for their own misconduct.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is privatizing TSA screening functions at airports while creating a liability carve-out for airport operators. This is a structural shift in who performs and who is accountable for airport security screening, not a routine amendment.
What the text implies
- Liability shield in subsection (e)(1) exempts airport operators from damages claims for private screeners' negligence, gross negligence, or intentional wrongdoing—creating a gap in accountability when security failures occur.
- TSA retains supervisory role but loses direct operational control; federal oversight depends on covert testing and training support, which may be less intensive than direct employment.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
private security screening companies; airport operators (via potential cost savings and liability reduction); facilities management and security contractors