; and (4) meet the requirements of sections 6 and 7. (b) Department of transportation authority To condition assistance on continuation of service (1) In general The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to require, to the extent reasonable and practicable, an air carrier provided financial assistance under this Act to maintain scheduled air transportation service, as the Secretary of Transportation deems necessary, to ensure services to any point served by that carrier before March 1, 2020. (2) Required considerations When considering whether to exercise the authority provided by this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation shall take into consideration the air transportation needs of small and remote communities and the need to maintain well-functioning health care supply chains, including medical devices and supplies, and pharmaceutical supply chains. (3) Sunset The authority provided under this subsection shall terminate on April 1, 2022, and any requirements issued by the Secretary of Transportation under this subsection shall cease to apply after that date. 6. Protection of collective bargaining agreement (a) In general Neither the Secretary, nor any other actor, department, or agency of the Federal Government, shall condition the issuance of financial assistance under this Act on an air carrier’s or contractor’s implementation of measures to enter into negotiations with the certified bargaining representative of a craft or class of employees of the air carrier or contractor under the Railway Labor Act ( 45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) or the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), regarding pay or other terms and conditions of employment. (b) Period of effect With respect to an air carrier or contractor to which financial assistance is provided under this Act, this section shall be in effect with respect to the air carrier or contractor beginning on the date on which the air carrier or contractor is first issued such financial assistance and ending on March 31, 2021. 7. Limitation on certain