(Sec. 2) Prohibits denial of a hazmat endorsement for an otherwise qualified individual unless within ten years before application for a background investigation the individual was convicted (or found not guilty by reason of insanity) of one or more specified criminal offenses, or acts for which the individual may be denied admission to, or removed from, the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Allows the Secretary of Transportation to consider mitigating circumstances from which it may be reasonably concluded that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of endorsement.
Requires the Attorney General, upon a State's request, to conduct a background records check and, if appropriate, take criminal enforcement action required by any information developed in the course of the check. Specifies the contents of any such check.
Denials availability to the public under the Freedom of Information Act of any information the Attorney General or the Secretary obtain in the course of a check. Requires the Secretary to maintain confidentiality about such information.
Permits the Secretary to waive State compliance with the requirement of prior background checks before renewing an endorsement or license to the extent necessary to avoid the interruption of service by a license holder while a background check is being completed, unless such interruption is due to the license holder's failure to: (1) comply with renewal requirements; or (2) furnish necessary documentation in a timely manner.
(Sec. 3) Prohibits individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials without a proper hazmat endorsement or license issued by a State, Canada, or Mexico after a background check meeting the requirements of this Act.
(Sec. 4) Prescribes criminal penalties for the fraudulent issuance, renewal, upgrade, or transfer of a commercial driver's license or endorsement, or the attempt to commit any such offenses.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to assess and report to specified congressional committees on the security risks associated with motor carrier transportation and develop prioritized recommendations for improving the security of hazmat shipments by motor carriers, among other things.
(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to research and test the feasibility, costs, and benefits of requiring motor carriers transporting certain hazardous materials to install ignition or engine locking devices, silent alarms, satellite technology, or other mechanisms to increase security. Authorizes a pilot program to assess such devices.