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DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill to create new safety requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs), including Uber and Lyft. HB25-1291 passed the House by a vote of 59-6.
“This bill isn’t just about what happened to me – it’s about the thousands of survivors who have endured so much pain and suffering because ride-share companies aren’t doing enough to keep riders and drivers safe,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The person who sexually assaulted me during a Lyft ride was borrowing another driver’s account. To this day, I’m not sure if his account is still active. Our bill establishes important safety standards for ride-share companies, including regular background checks, audio and video recording and barring drivers who were previously charged with serious crimes.”
“Between 2017 and 2022, more than 15,000 riders were sexually assaulted during an Uber or Lyft ride. While this number is staggering, we know the real number is likely much higher, and more must be done to protect riders and drivers,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill aims to improve safety by requiring ride-share companies to respond to complaints within 48 hours and disclose the number of assaults and complaints that happened on their watch every year. We’re serious about improving rider safety, and the passage of this bill is a step in the right direction.”
The bill creates new safety requirements for TNCs and their drivers. This bill would require:
Enhanced background checks
Ride-share companies must procure and pay for privately administered background checks on drivers every six months.
Stronger driver vetting and clear disqualifications
Drivers with a history of convictions for assault, harassment, kidnapping, menacing, domestic violence, or impersonating a driver would be barred from driving with a ride-share company.
If a driver is barred from one ride-share company for serious safety concerns, they would be barred from all TNCs.
Audio and video recording for all rides to improve
All rides will need to have audio and video recording from pick-up to drop-off.
Improved transparency and accountability
If a driver is convicted or enters a plea, they must notify the TNC within 48 hours of the conviction
TNCs must provide annual reports to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General’s Office and legislative committees. These reports must include the number of assaults, harassment complaints, discrimination complaints and accidents.
Additionally, TNCs would need to establish certain polices that:
Prevent account sharing, imposter accounts and driver impersonation
Ensure the safe transport of minors
Prohibit free or paid food and beverages during rides
Educate drivers on new safety polices
Place those accused of serious crimes on probationary status while their case is being reviewed.
More than 15,500 Uber and Lyft riders and drivers were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2022. This number only represents the number of sexual assaults that were reported. On average, only 30 percent of sexual assaults are reported.
In March, a former Lyft driver in Denver was sentenced to 290 years in prison for charges related to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault of more than a dozen women over four years.