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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10897 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10897
To enhance passenger and driver safety on transportation network
company platforms through enhanced digital verification systems, to
implement driver verification protocols to prevent unauthorized drivers
from fraudulently using TNC driver accounts, to prevent physical and
sexual assault on TNC platforms, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 22, 2026
Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. Suozzi) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and
Commerce, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To enhance passenger and driver safety on transportation network
company platforms through enhanced digital verification systems, to
implement driver verification protocols to prevent unauthorized drivers
from fraudulently using TNC driver accounts, to prevent physical and
sexual assault on TNC platforms, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as ``Sami's Law''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Passenger.--The term ``passenger'' means an individual
who is matched with a TNC driver by submitting to a
transportation network company a trip request using a TNC
platform.
(2) Personal information.--The term ``personal
information'' means data that are shared between the TNC driver
and the TNC platform for the purposes of identification,
including--
(A) the first name (or initial) and last name of
such individual, whether given at birth or time of
adoption, or resulting from a lawful change of name;
(B) the geographical address of a physical place of
residence of such individual;
(C) a telephone number associated with the personal
mobile device used by the individual to access a TNC
platform;
(D) a social security account number issued to such
individual;
(E) a driver's license number associated with such
individual; and
(F) the license plate number, vehicle
identification number, and any description of the TNC
vehicle associated with such individual.
(3) Personal device.--The term ``personal device'' means a
communications device used by an individual to access a TNC
platform for the purposes of requesting or accepting a request
for a ride.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
(5) TNC driver.--The term ``TNC driver'' means an
individual who contracts with a transportation network company
to provide transportation services through a TNC platform in
exchange for compensation or payment of a fee.
(6) TNC platform.--The term ``TNC platform'' means an
online-enabled application or digital network made available by
a transportation network company to connect passengers to TNC
drivers for the purpose of providing prearranged transportation
services.
(7) TNC vehicle.--The term ``TNC vehicle'' means a vehicle
(also known as a ``ride-hailing vehicle'') that is--
(A) owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use
by a TNC driver; and
(B) used by the TNC driver to provide to passengers
prearranged transportation services.
(8) Transportation network company.--
(A) In general.--The term ``transportation network
company'' means a corporation, partnership, sole
proprietorship, or other entity that makes available a
TNC platform to connect passengers to TNC drivers in
exchange for compensation or payment of a fee in order
for the TNC driver to transport the passenger using a
TNC vehicle to a point chosen by the passenger.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``transportation network
company'' does not include--
(i) a shared-expense carpool or vanpool
arrangement that is not intended to generate
profit for the driver; or
(ii) microtransit or other dedicated
services provided exclusively on behalf of a
government entity, a nonprofit organization, or
a third-party commercial enterprise.
SEC. 3. DRIVER-PASSENGER MATCH VERIFICATION TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Rulemaking.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a notice of
proposed rulemaking to require transportation network companies
to establish and implement, within the TNC platform of the
transportation network company, a system and policy under which
the transportation network company shall provide to each
passenger using the TNC platform a digital method to verify,
prior to the beginning of the trip requested by the passenger,
that the TNC driver with whom the passenger has been matched
through the TNC platform has been authorized by the
transportation network company to accept the trip request.
(2) Inclusions.--Each system under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A)(i) an initial notification, containing
verifiable information specific to the applicable TNC
driver or TNC vehicle with which the applicable
passenger has been matched, that is--
(I) sent to the personal device of
the passenger; or
(II) otherwise communicated to the
passenger;
(ii) a method by which the applicable
passenger, TNC driver, and TNC platform can
confirm the verifiable information matching the
passenger to the TNC driver or TNC vehicle
prior to the beginning of the requested trip;
(iii) a restriction imposed by the TNC
platform against any TNC driver from commencing
a trip through the TNC platform until the
system is used--
(I) by the applicable passenger to
verify the identity of the TNC driver;
and
(II) by the applicable TNC driver
to verify the identity of the
passenger; and
(iv) a method by which a passenger can
verify the identity of the applicable TNC
driver in accordance with this subparagraph
that is reasonably accessible to and usable by
individuals living with disabilities; or
(B) as an alternative to a system described in
subparagraph (A), a successor technology-based system
that enables verification by the applicable passenger,
prior to the beginning of the trip requested by the
passenger, that the TNC driver with whom the passenger
has been matched through the TNC platform of the
transportation network company has been authorized by
the transportation network company to accept the trip
request.
(3) Passenger opt-out.--
(A) In general.--A transportation network company
may offer to passengers a clear and conspicuous option
to opt out of the system of the transportation network
company established under subsection (a).
(B) Requirements.--In establishing an opt-out
mechanism described in subsection (b), a transportation
network company shall ensure that the opt-out
preference signal--
(i) is clearly described, and easy-to-use
by a reasonable individual;
(ii) does not require that an individual
provide additional information beyond what is
necessary to indicate such preference;
(iii) clearly represents the preference of
an individual;
(iv) is provided in a manner that is
reasonably accessible to and usable by
individuals living with disabilities; and
(v) does not affect the preferences of the
passenger with respect to other safety features
offered by a transportation network company on
a TNC platform.
(4) Exemptions.--The rulemaking established under this
section shall not apply to any trip--
(A) with respect to which a passenger elects under
subsection (b) to opt out of using the system of the
relevant transportation network company;
(B) that is facilitated by a third party, including
any third-party commercial enterprise, nonprofit
organization, or government entity, for a passenger who
is transported in a TNC vehicle; or
(C) with respect to which compliance with
subsection (a) is impracticable due to circumstances
beyond the control of the relevant transportation
network company, including any instance in which--
(i) the personal device of a passenger has
failed to operate; or
(ii) there exists degraded, reduced, or
otherwise insufficient cellular connectivity in
order for the system of a transportation
network company under subsection (a) to operate
properly.
(b) Final Rule.--Not less than 180 days after the notice of
proposed rulemaking required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
issue a final rule to carry out the requirements of this section.
(c) Authority of Secretary.--
(1) Inspection authority.--The Secretary may inspect such
records of a transportation network company as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to allow the Secretary to determine
whether the transportation network company achieves compliance
with the applicable requirements of this section.
(2) Enforcement.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may assess a civil
penalty in an amount equal to not more than $5,000 per
day of violation against a transportation network
company that is in violation of the requirements
established in subsection (a).
(B) Knowing and willful violations.--The Secretary
may assess a civil penalty in an amount equal to not
more than $20,000 per day of knowing and willful
violation against a transportation network company that
is in violation of the requirements established in
subsection (a).
SEC. 4. BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
COMPANIES.
(a) In General.--A transportation network company shall only
contract or partner with a TNC driver who is either--
(1) a citizen or national of the United States;
(2) an alien who is a lawful permanent resident of the
United States; or
(3) an alien who has received employment authorization from
the Department of Homeland Security.
(b) Employment Verification.--
(1) In general.--For the purposes of compliance with
subsection (a), a transportation network company shall use the
employment verification system established in 8 U.S.C. 1324a
(b) to verify the immigration status and employment
authorization status of a prospective TNC driver.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall
be construed to classify a TNC driver as an employee as defined
under 29 U.S.C. 203(e).
(c) Background Checks.--
(1) In general.--A transportation network company shall
conduct, or have a third party conduct, a local and national
criminal background check for each TNC driver prior to
activation of a driver's account, and once annually thereafter.
(2) Inclusions.--The criminal background check required by
this subsection shall include--
(A) a search of the United States Department of
Justice National Sex Offender Public website; and
(B) the use of a multistate and multijurisdictional
criminal records locator or other similar commercial
nationwide database with validation.
(3) Consent.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to
the contrary, after a TNC driver's consent is obtained by a
transportation network company for an initial background check,
no additional consent shall be required for the continual
monitoring of that TNC driver's criminal history or immigration
status.
(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall
prevent States from--
(A) providing an option for transportation network
companies to conduct a fingerprint-based background
check through a State agency;
(B) imposing additional background check
requirements for transportation network companies; or
(C) requiring transportation network companies to
conduct such checks on a more frequent basis than
proscribed in paragraph (1).
SEC. 5. PROHIBITION ON SALE OF RIDE-HAILING SIGNAGE.
(a) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be
unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any signage that--
(1) is designed to help a passenger to identify a TNC
vehicle; and
(2)(A) contains a proprietary trademark or logo of a
transportation network company; or
(B) purports to be signage of a transportation
network company.
(b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to any person
authorized by a transportation network company to sell or offer for
sale signage of the transportation network company described in that
subsection.
(c) Enforcement.--
(1) In general.--A violation of this section shall be
considered to be a violation of a rule defining an unfair or
deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B)
of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
(2) Action by ftc.--The Federal Trade Commission shall
enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and
with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all
applicable provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15
U.S.C. 41 et seq.) are incorporated in this Act.
(3) Treatment.--Any person who violates this section shall
be subject to the penalties, and entitled to the privileges and
immunities, provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15
U.S.C. 41 et seq.).
(d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section limits the authority
of the Federal Trade Commission under any other provision of law.
SEC. 6. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
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