(a) A local or regional transit agency or a joint powers agency operating rail service identified in an implementation program adopted pursuant to Article 10 (commencing with Section 130450) of Chapter 4 of Division 12 of the Public Utilities Code may authorize by contract designated persons as conductors performing fare inspection duties who are employed by a railroad corporation that operates public rail commuter transit services for that agency to act as its agent in the enforcement of subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640 relating to the operation of the rail service if they complete the training requirement specified in this section.

(b) The governing board of the Altamont Commuter Express Authority, a joint powers agency duly formed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, by and between the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, may contract with designated persons to act as its agents in the enforcement of subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640 relating to the operation of a public transportation system if these persons complete the training requirement specified in this section.

(c) The governing board of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, a joint powers agency duly formed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, by and between the San Mateo County Transit District, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and the City and County of San Francisco, may appoint designated persons to act as its agents in the enforcement of subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640 relating to the operation of a public transportation system if these persons complete the training requirement specified in this section.

(d) The governing board of Foothill Transit, a joint powers agency duly formed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, by and between the Cities of Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Industry, Irwindale, La Habra Heights, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, Pomona, San Dimas, South El Monte, Temple City, Walnut, West Covina, and the County of Los Angeles, may resolve to contract with designated persons to act as its agents in the enforcement of subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640 relating to the operation of a public transportation system if these persons complete the training requirement specified in this section.

(e) The governing board of the Sacramento Regional Transit District, a transit district duly formed pursuant to Part 14 (commencing with Section 102000) of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code, may designate persons regularly employed by the district as inspectors or supervisors to enforce subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640, relating to the operation of a public transportation system, and any ordinance adopted by the district pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 102122 of the Public Utilities Code, if these persons complete the training requirement specified in this section.

(f) The governing board of a transit district, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 99170 of the Public Utilities Code, may designate employees, except for union-represented employees employed to drive revenue-generating transit vehicles, or security officers contracted by the transit district, to enforce subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640, and Section 640.5, and violations of Section 99170 of the Public Utilities Code.

(g) Persons authorized pursuant to this section to enforce subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640, or Section 640.5, or Section 99170 of the Public Utilities Code, shall complete a specialized fare compliance course that shall be provided by the authorizing agency. This training course shall include, but not be limited to, the following topics:

(1) An overview of barrier-free fare inspection concepts.

(2) The scope and limitations of inspector authority.

(3) Familiarization with the elements of the infractions enumerated in subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 640, and, as applicable, the crimes enumerated in Section 640.5, and Section 99170 of the Public Utilities Code.

(4) Techniques for conducting fare checks, including inspection procedures, demeanor, and contacting violators.

(5) Citation issuance and court appearances.

(6) Fare media recognition.

(7) Handling argumentative violators and diffusing conflict.

(8) The mechanics of law enforcement support and interacting with law enforcement for effective incident resolution.

(h) Persons described in this section are public officers, not peace officers, have no authority to carry firearms or any other weapon while performing the duties authorized in this section, and may not exercise the powers of arrest of a peace officer while performing the duties authorized in this section. These persons may be authorized by the agencies specified in this section to issue citations involving infractions relating to the operation of the rail service specified in this section.

(i) This section does not affect the retirement or disability benefits provided to employees described in this section or be in violation of any collective bargaining agreement between a labor organization and a railroad corporation.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the primary responsibility of a conductor of a commuter passenger train shall be functions related to safe train operation.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 392. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)