MAINTENANCE PROVIDERS.

SEC. 319. [49 U.S.C. 44713 note] MAINTENANCE PROVIDERS. (a) Regulations.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue regulations requiring that covered work on an aircraft used to provide air transportation under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, be performed by persons in accordance with subsection (b). (b) Persons Authorized To Perform Certain Work.—A person may perform covered work on aircraft used to provide air transportation under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, only if the person is employed by— (1) a part 121 air carrier; (2) a part 145 repair station or a person authorized under section 43.17 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); or (3) subject to subsection (c), a person that— (A) provides contract maintenance workers, services, or maintenance functions to a part 121 air carrier or part 145 repair station; and (B) meets the requirements of the part 121 air carrier or the part 145 repair station, as appropriate. (c) Terms and Conditions.—Covered work performed by a person who is employed by a person described in subsection (b)(3) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: (1) The applicable part 121 air carrier shall be directly in charge of the covered work being performed. (2) The covered work shall be carried out in accordance with the part 121 air carrier’s maintenance manual. (3) The person shall carry out the covered work under the supervision and control of the part 121 air carrier directly in charge of the covered work being performed on its aircraft. (d) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Covered work.—The term “covered work” means any of the following: (A) Essential maintenance that could result in a failure, malfunction, or defect endangering the safe operation of an aircraft if not performed properly or if improper parts or materials are used. (B) Regularly scheduled maintenance. (C) A required inspection item (as defined by the Administrator). (2) Part 121 air carrier.—The term “part 121 air carrier” means an air carrier that holds a certificate issued under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. (3) Part 145 repair station.—The term “part 145 repair station” means a repair station that holds a certificate issued under part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. (4) Person.—The term “person” means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, or association that performs maintenance, preventative maintenance, or alterations.