(d) MINIMUM STANDARDS.―The guidelines developed under subsection (a) shall include guidelines that meet the following minimum standards:
(1) GENERAL SECURITY.―The establishment of uniform practices for physical security of seaport areas and approaches, procedural security for processing passengers, cargo, and crewmembers, and personnel security for employment of individuals and service providers.
(2) ACCESS TO SENSITIVE AREAS.―The use of a credentials process, administered by public or private sector security services, to limit access to sensitive areas. In connection with this standard, the Task Force shall consider the desirability and feasibility of utilizing criminal background checks to assist in determining access to restricted or sensitive areas at seaports generally or on a seaport-by-seaport basis.
(3) VEHICULAR ACCESS.―The use of restrictions on vehicular access to seaport areas and facilities, including requirements that seaport authorities and primary users of seaports implement procedures that achieve appropriate levels of control of vehicular access and accountability for enforcement of controlled access by vehicles.
(4) FIREARMS.―Restrictions on carrying firearms.
(5) CERTIFICATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS.―A private security officer certification program to improve the professionalism of seaport security officers.
(e) MARITIME ADMINISTRATION; PORT ACCREDITATION PROGRAM.―Except as provided in subsection (c), the Maritime Administration shall make every effort to have the guidelines developed under subsection (a) adopted by appropriate organizations as voluntary guidelines and shall establish a program for the private sector accreditation of seaports that implement the guidelines.
(f) COAST GUARD; INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION.―Except as provided in subsection (c), the Coast Guard shall make every effort to have the guidelines developed under subsection (a) by appropriate international organizations as voluntary guidelines and shall, acting through appropriate officers of the United States Government, seek to encourage the development and adoption of seaport security guidelines under international agreements in other countries where adoption of the same or similar guidelines might be appropriate.
