Sami's Law (H.R. 1082)

Summary

Requires the government to study how often assaults happen in rideshare and taxi services and to report on driver background checks and safety measures.

What problem does this solve?

People using or driving for rideshare and taxi services were being assaulted, sometimes by individuals pretending to be drivers, and there was not enough information about how often this happened. This law makes the government collect data on these assaults and review company safety steps to find ways to make rides safer.

What does this law do?

Requires a recurring safety study

Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report to Congress on assaults in rideshare and for-hire vehicles every two years.

Includes assaults against both riders and drivers

The study must count assaults against drivers by passengers and assaults against passengers by drivers or other riders.

Addresses fake driver incidents

The study will also track assaults committed by people who pretend to be rideshare or for-hire vehicle drivers.

Examines driver background checks

Requires the GAO to review the types of background checks that companies and states require for drivers.

Reviews company safety measures

The study will look at the safety steps that rideshare and taxi companies have put in place to protect both riders and drivers.

Who does this affect?

Rideshare and taxi passengers
Rideshare and taxi drivers
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)

What is the real world impact?

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Increases transparency on safety issues

Gathers official data on assaults related to rideshare and taxi services. This makes the scope of the problem public and creates a basis for future safety rules.

When does this start?

This law sets several deadlines for the Government Accountability Office to submit safety reports to Congress.

First safety report due

The first report on assaults in for-hire vehicles must be submitted to Congress no later than one year after the law was enacted.

Ongoing biennial reports

After the first report, a new report must be submitted to Congress every two years.

Initial data collection period

The first study will cover assaults that occurred during the calendar years 2019 and 2020.