Bill to shield transport disclosures introduced

WASHINGTON--A group of Republican members of Congress has introduced legislation that would grant immunity from civil liability to people who voluntarily notify security officials of suspicious activity they believe threatens transportation safety or security.

The measure, H.R. 2291, introduced Monday, would also allow any defendant in a civil lawsuit for making a voluntary disclosure who is found immune from civil liability "to recover from the plaintiff all reasonable costs and attorney fees allowed by the court in which the lawsuit was decided."

The measure would not apply to any statement known to be false when it was made.