VOLUNTARY SAFETY REPORTING PROGRAM.

SEC. 113. [49 U.S.C. 44701 note] VOLUNTARY SAFETY REPORTING PROGRAM. (a) In General.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, the Administrator shall establish a voluntary safety reporting program for engineers, safety inspectors, systems safety specialists, and other subject matter experts certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, to confidentially report instances where they have identified safety concerns during certification or oversight processes. (b) Safety Reporting Program Requirements.—In establishing the safety reporting program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure the following: (1) The FAA maintains a reporting culture that encourages human factors specialists, engineers, flight test pilots, inspectors, and other appropriate FAA employees to voluntarily report safety concerns. (2) The safety reporting program is non-punitive, confidential, and protects employees from adverse employment actions related to their participation in the program. (3) The safety reporting program identifies exclusionary criteria for the program. (4) Collaborative development of the program with bargaining representatives of employees under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, who are employed in the Aircraft Certification Service or Flight Standards Service of the Administration (or, if unable to reach an agreement collaboratively, the Administrator shall negotiate with the representatives in accordance with section 40122(a) of title 49, United States Code, regarding the development of the program). (5) Full and collaborative participation in the program by the bargaining representatives of employees described in paragraph (4). (6) The Administrator thoroughly reviews safety reports to determine whether there is a safety issue, including a hazard, defect, noncompliance, nonconformance, or process error. (7) The Administrator thoroughly reviews safety reports to determine whether any aircraft certification process contributed to the safety concern being raised. (8) The creation of a corrective action process in order to address safety issues that are identified through the program. (c) Outcomes.—Results of safety report reviews under this section may be used to— (1) improve— (A) safety systems, hazard control, and risk reduction; (B) certification systems; (C) FAA oversight; (D) compliance and conformance; and (E) any other matter determined necessary by the Administrator; and (2) implement lessons learned. (d) Report Filing.—The Administrator shall establish requirements for when in the certification process reports may be filed to— (1) ensure that identified issues can be addressed in a timely manner; and (2) foster open dialogue between applicants and FAA employees throughout the certification process. (e) Integration With Other Safety Reporting Programs.—The Administrator shall implement the safety reporting program established under subsection (a) and the reporting requirements established pursuant to subsection (d) in a manner that is consistent with other voluntary safety reporting programs administered by the Administrator. (f) Report to Congress.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this title, and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional committees of jurisdiction a report on the effectiveness of the safety reporting program established under subsection (a).