Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act
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Would require the Transportation Security Administration to issue hygiene guidance — within 90 days of enactment and every five years after — to minimize contamination risk when breast milk, baby formula, infant water, juice, and cooling accessories undergo additional screening at airports.
It would also direct the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General to audit compliance with those standards and report findings to Congress, addressing long-standing concerns from traveling parents about inconsistent and unsanitary handling of infant feeding supplies at security checkpoints.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act to add two new requirements. First, the TSA Administrator would be required to issue or update guidance — within 90 days of enactment and again every five years if appropriate — to minimize contamination risk when breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and related cooling accessories (ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs) are subject to re-screening or additional testing at airport security checkpoints. That guidance must be developed in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations and would apply to both TSA employees and personnel of private security companies under contract.
Second, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General would be required to submit a compliance audit report to Congress within one year of enactment. The audit would also examine how various screening technologies — including bottled liquid scanners — affect these products and would track the rate at which such items are denied entry into secured airport areas.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the TSA Administrator to issue or update hygiene guidance within 90 days of enactment — and every five years — to minimize contamination of breast milk, formula, infant water, juice, and cooling accessories during re-screening.
- 2Would require guidance to be developed in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations and to set enforceable hygienic standards for any additional testing of these products.
- 3Would extend the hygiene standards to personnel of private security companies providing airport screening under federal contract, not just TSA employees.
- 4Would require the DHS Inspector General to audit compliance with the hygiene requirements and submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment.
- 5Would require the Inspector General's audit to include data on the effect of screening technologies, including bottled liquid scanners, and the rate at which covered items are denied airport entry.
Who would be affected
Breastfeeding parents, caregivers, and other travelers who carry breast milk, baby formula, infant water, or juice through airport security. TSA screening officers and personnel of private security firms performing airport screening under federal contract would be directly subject to the new hygiene standards. Nationally recognized maternal health organizations would be consulted in developing the guidance.
Why it matters
Travelers with infants have reported inconsistent and sometimes unsanitary handling of breast milk and formula at security checkpoints, creating contamination and spoilage risks. Enforceable TSA hygiene guidance would give screeners clear standards to follow, while the Inspector General audit would create accountability and provide Congress with data on how often these items are turned away.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act (Public Law 114-293) (Sec. 2)
Adds two new sections requiring TSA to issue hygiene guidance for screening breast milk and formula, and directing the DHS Inspector General to audit compliance.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- TSA must issue initial hygiene guidance for screening breast milk and baby formula
- DHS Inspector General must submit compliance audit report to Congress
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 820 would have no effect on the deficit, with discretionary spending of less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, subject to appropriation.
CBO estimates that H.R. 820 would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, and would not increase the deficit in any scoring window through 2035 or beyond. The bill would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue or update guidance for screening breastmilk, baby formula, and related accessories at airports, and require a Department of Homeland Security Inspector General audit of that guidance. Because TSA already regularly updates such guidance under current law, that provision would not significantly affect the budget; the audit is estimated to cost less than $500,000 over 2025–2030, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
Within 90 days of enactment, the TSA Administrator must issue hygiene guidance developed in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations; the guidance is to be reviewed and updated every five years. It covers both federal TSA screeners and contracted private security screeners. Within one year, the DHS Inspector General must audit compliance with both the existing and new requirements, assess screening technology effects on these products, and report denial rates to the House Homeland Security and Senate Commerce committees.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 161.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to issue or update guidance to minimize the risk for contamination of breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and related products that are subject to re-screening or additional screening, including by ensuring adherence to hygienic standards. Related products include ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool breast milk, baby formula, and juice.
In addition, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to audit compliance with these requirements and submit a report to Congress.
Legislative subjects
Aviation and airports; Child health; Child safety and welfare; Congressional oversight; Government studies and investigations; Health technology, devices, supplies; Transportation and Public Works; Transportation safety and security
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-197