(70 ILCS 3615/2.46)
    (This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)
    Sec. 2.46. Transit ambassadors.
    (a) By July 1, 2027, the Authority shall implement a transit ambassador program to increase safety for passengers and personnel, provide passenger education and assistance, and help passengers navigate all transit systems under the Authority.
    (b) To ensure regional competency and system integration, the Authority shall develop a transit ambassador training program with input from each Service Board and interested stakeholders and in alignment with subsection (d) of Section 25 of the Community Emergency Services and Support Act.
    (c) The Service Boards in coordination with the Authority shall deploy trained, unarmed personnel on buses, bus stops, trains, and stations to achieve the goals of the Transit Ambassador Program.
    (d) Transit ambassador units may be composed of mobile and fixed post personnel.
    (e) The responsibilities of a transit ambassador may include, but are not limited to:
        (1) navigational and other passenger assistance;
        (2) liaising with law enforcement, social services,
    
and community resources to address unsafe conditions and to connect persons with relevant social, medical, and other services; and
        (3) monitoring passenger activity and compliance with
    
laws and rules.
    (f) No less than 80% of transit ambassadors serving the Chicago Transit Authority shall be full-time employees of the Chicago Transit Authority. The Chicago Transit Authority shall bargain with the union representing current customer service employees to determine the initial conditions of employment for the transit ambassadors.
    (g) Those persons employed by the Chicago Transit Authority as Customer Service Assistants, who meet the applicable Transit Ambassador qualifications and the requirements of the training program established pursuant to the Chicago Transit Authority Transit Ambassador Program, shall be hired prior to the hiring of any other personnel.
    (h) Customer-facing employees of the Commuter Rail Division shall undergo the standard transit ambassador training program developed by the Authority.
    (i) Existing employees of the Service Boards identified to complete the transit ambassador training shall do so by January 1, 2027.
    (j) The Authority shall facilitate coordination between the Service Boards to ensure communication and continuity across all Service Boards.
    (k) Beginning January 1, 2031, the Authority shall evaluate the efficacy of the program no less than every 5 years and identify needed changes and improvements.
(Source: P.A. 104-457, eff. 6-1-26.)