49 U.S.C. § 21106 — Limitations on employee sleeping quarters

(a) In General: Railroads and their officers can only provide sleeping quarters -- including crew quarters, camp cars, bunk cars, and trailers -- for employees and right-of-way workers if those quarters are clean, safe, and sanitary. The quarters must let people rest without noise the railroad controls. They also need indoor toilets, clean drinking water, and other features that protect health. After July 7, 1976, railroads can't start building or rebuilding these sleeping quarters in or near areas where switching or humping operations happen, as defined by Department of Transportation rules. (b) Camp Cars: By December 31, 2009, any railroad using camp cars must fully fix them up or replace them so they meet the rules in subsection (a). (c) Regulations: By April 1, 2010, the Secretary of Transportation, working with the Secretary of Labor, must write rules to carry out subsection (a)(1) for camp cars. These rules must require all camp cars to comply by December 31, 2010. When writing the rules, the Secretary must look at what railroads have already done to fix up or replace their camp cars. (d) Compliance and Enforcement: The Secretary decides whether a railroad has properly fixed up or replaced its camp cars under subsection (b), and must stop the use of any camp car that doesn't comply. The Secretary can also fine railroads under chapter 213 for breaking this section.