text: SECTION 1. STUDY OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF BACKSCATTER X-RAY MACHINES.
  
      (a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science and Technology in 
  the Department of Homeland Security shall provide for the conduct of an 
  independent study of the effects on human health caused by the use of 
  backscatter x-ray machines at airline checkpoints operated by the 
  Transportation Security Administration.
      (b) Requirements for Study.--
              (1) Conduct.--The study required under subsection (a) shall 
          be--
                      (A) initiated not later than 90 days after the date 
                  of the enactment of this Act;
                      (B) conducted by an independent laboratory selected 
                  by the Under Secretary, in consultation with the 
                  National Science Foundation, from among laboratories 
                  with expertise in the conduct of similar studies; and
                      (C) to the maximum extent practicable, consistent 
                  with standard evaluations of radiological medical 
                  equipment.
              (2) Testing equipment.--In conducting the study, the 
          laboratory shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
                      (A) use calibration testing equipment developed by 
                  the laboratory for purposes of study; and
                      (B) use commercially available calibration testing 
                  equipment as a control.
              (3) Elements.--In conducting the study, the laboratory 
          shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with 
          recognized protocols for independent scientific testing--
                      (A) dismantle and evaluate one or more backscatter 
                  x-ray machine used at airline checkpoints operated by 
                  the Transportation Security Administration in order to 
                  determine--
                              (i) the placement of testing equipment so 
                          that radiation emission readings during the 
                          testing of such machines are as accurate as 
                          possible; and
                              (ii) how best to measure the dose emitted 
                          per scan;
                      (B) determine the failure rates and effects of use 
                  of such machines;
                      (C) include the use of alternative testing methods 
                  in the determination of levels of radiation exposure 
                  (such as an examination of enzyme levels after x-ray 
                  exposure to determine if there is a biological response 
                  to cellular damage caused by such an exposure);
                      (D) assess the fail-safe mechanisms of such 
                  machines in order to determine the optimal operating 
                  efficacy of such machines;
                      (E) ensure that any tests performed are replicable;
                      (F) obtain peer review of any tests performed; and
                      (G) meet such other requirements as the Under 
                  Secretary shall specify for purposes of the study.
              (4) Report.--
                      (A) Evaluation.--The Under Secretary shall provide 
                  for an independent panel, in consultation with the 
                  National Science Foundation, with expertise in 
                  conducting similar evaluations, to evaluate the data 
                  collected under the study to assess the health risks 
                  posed by backscatter x-ray machines to individuals and 
                  groups of people screened or affected by such machines, 
                  including--
                              (i) frequent air travelers;
                              (ii) employees of the Transportation 
                          Security Administration;
                              (iii) flight crews;
                              (iv) other individuals who work at an 
                          airport; and
                              (v) individuals with greater sensitivity to 
                          radiation, such as children, pregnant women, 
                          the elderly, and cancer patients.
                      (B) Considerations.--In conducting the evaluation 
                  under subparagraph (A), the panel shall--
                              (i) conduct a literature review of relevant 
                          clinical and academic literature; and
                              (ii) consider the risk of backscatter x-ray 
                          technology from a public health perspective in 
                          addition to the individual risk to each airline 
                          passenger.
                      (C) Reports.--
                              (i) Progress reports.--Not later than 90 
                          days after the date of the enactment of this 
                          Act, and periodically thereafter until the 
                          final report is submitted pursuant to clause 
                          (ii), the Under Secretary shall submit a report 
                          to Congress that contains the preliminary 
                          findings of the study conducted under this 
                          subsection.
                              (ii) Final report.--Not later than 90 days 
                          after the date on which the panel completes the 
                          evaluation required under this paragraph, the 
                          Under Secretary shall submit a report to 
                          Congress that contains the result of the study 
                          and evaluation conducted under this subsection.
  
  SEC. 2. SIGNAGE REQUIREMENT RELATING TO BACKSCATTER X-RAY MACHINES.
  
      The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
  shall ensure that large, easily readable signs or equivalent electronic 
  displays are placed at the front of airline passenger check point 
  queues where backscatter advanced imaging technology machines are used 
  for screening to inform airline passengers, particularly passengers who 
  may be sensitive to radiation exposure, that they may request to 
  undergo alternative screening procedures instead of passing through a 
  backscatter x-ray machine.
target: Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to arrange for an independent study of the effects on human health caused by the use of backscatter x-ray machines at airline checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
  
  Directs the TSA Administrator to ensure that large, readable signs or equivalent electronic displays are placed at the front of airline passenger check points where backscatter advanced imaging technology machines are used for screening to inform airline passengers that they may request undergoing alternative screening procedures.
feat_title: A bill to require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the Department of Homeland Security to contract with an independent laboratory to study the health effects of backscatter x-ray machines used at airline checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration and provide improved notice to airline passengers.