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Bill to require rideshare companies to share driver-misconduct information advances from committee
Summary
A Senate committee advanced S-1249, which would require transportation network companies to share records of driver misconduct investigations and allow temporary network bans during inquiries. Survivor advocates backed the measure and committee amendments narrowed definitions and timing of covered incidents.
A Senate committee amended and released S-1249 on a unanimous recorded voice vote, advancing a bill that would require transportation network companies (TNCs) to share information about driver investigations and permit companies to block drivers from their digital networks during and after investigations.
Supporters told the committee the measure is a public-safety step to prevent drivers with histories of misconduct from moving across platforms. "If one company notifies others of incidents of misconduct, its provision will help prevent the driver from hurting other people in the future on other platforms," said Robert Baron, co-director of the New Jersey Coalition Against ****** Assault.
Baron and Dr. Rodriguez, who testified alongside him, urged lawmakers to treat a broad range of behaviors as reportable, including noncontact harms such as threats, harassment and lewdness. "While these behaviors may appear to exist on a spectrum of severity, survivors can and do experience profound harm from all forms of misconduct," Dr. Rodriguez said.
Committee amendments refined the bill's definitions of "covered incident" and limited the time window for incidents that can trigger a ban to conduct occurring during a TNC ride or within 48 hours after completion of a prearranged ride, and clarified how prior criminal-history checks and post-hire notifications would operate. The clerk also explained technical edits to definitions of personal vehicle and misconduct.
Sponsor remarks and witness testimony stressed coordination with companies already sharing data on severe incidents and tailored changes to codify and expand those practices without broadly criminalizing non-driving behavior unrelated to rides.
The committee amendment process removed a provision restricting Attorney General approval of TNC background checks and added a requirement that applicants must submit a written statement when prior misconduct investigations are substantiated.
The committee voted to amend and release the bill for further legislative consideration. The vote record and motion were entered on the committee record.
