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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 25, 2021 02:39 PM
From:	Representative Ann Flood and Rep. Kathleen C. Tomlinson
To:	All House members
Subject:	Sami's Law

In the near future, we intend to introduce legislation that will require transportation network companies (TNC), including Uber and Lyft, to provide a barcode or QR code on the outside of a vehicle to ensure riders are entering the correct vehicle.   As a result of the horrific and tragic death of Samantha Josephson on March 29, 2019, ride-sharing safety has come under closer scrutiny.  Several states have enacted variations of Sami’s Law which ensures adequate identifiability of the driver of the ride-share vehicle.  For example, South Carolina enacted the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act in 2019 which requires ride-share vehicles to display license plate numbers on the front and, also penalizes those misrepresenting themselves as an authorized TNC driver.  Similarly, New Jersey established Sami’s Law whereby TNC’s issue two credential placards to drivers of ride-share vehicles that are placed on the front and back window.  We believe Pennsylvania should have similar laws.   Our legislation will provide that a driver for a TNC must be provided a barcode or machine-readable code unique to each driver that must be displayed in a manner that is easy for the rider to find prior to entering the vehicle.  Additionally, anyone who falsely represents themselves as a TNC driver will be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.   We respectfully ask for your support to keep our ride-share community safe.

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