49 CFR § 209.131 - Criminal penalties generally.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s209.131"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 209.131 - Criminal penalties generally."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "209.131"
section_name: "Criminal penalties generally."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "209"
part_name: "RAILROAD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 5123, 5124, 20103, 20107, 20111, 20112, 20114; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "42 FR 56742, Oct. 28, 1977, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "209"
---


# 209.131 Criminal penalties generally.

A person who knowingly violates 49 U.S.C. 5104(b) or § 171.2(l) of this title or willfully or recklessly violates a requirement of the Federal hazardous material transportation law or a regulation, order, special permit, or approval issued thereunder shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, except the maximum amount of imprisonment shall be 10 years in any case in which the violation involves the release of a hazardous material which results in death or bodily injury to any person.

[71 FR 77295, Dec. 26, 2006]